A model-free adaptive control method is proposed for the spacecrafts whose dynamical parameters change over time and cannot be acquired accurately. The algorithm is based on full form dynamic linearization.A dimension reduction matrix is introduced to construct an augmented system with the same dimension input and output. The design of the controller depends on the system input and output data rather than the knowledge of the controlled plant. The numerical simulation results show that the improved controller can deal with different models with the same set of controller parameters,and the controller performance is better than that of PD controller for the time-varying system with disturbance.
Electromagnetic forces generated by the inter-action of component satellites can be used to release companion satellites. Optimal release trajectories for companion satellite system using inter-electromagnetic forces were investigated. Firstly,nonlinear relative motion dynamic equations of a two-craft electromagnetic companion satellite system were derived in spatial polar coordinates. Then principles of electromagnetic satellite formation flying were introduced. Secondly,the characteristics of the electromagnetic companion satellites release were analyzed and optimal release trajectories of companion satellites using electromagnetic forces were obtained using Gauss pseudospectral method. Three performance criteria were chosen as minimum time,minimum acceleration of the separation distance and minimum control acceleration. Finally,three release examples including expansion along separation distance, rotation in orbital plane and stable formation reconfiguration were given to demonstrate the feasibility of this method. Results indicated that the release trajectories can converge to optimal solutions effectively and the concept of release companion satellites using electromagnetic forces is practicable.
