Development and experimental validation of a multi-algorithmic hybrid attitude determination and control system for a small satellite

Advanced missions of satellites are increasingly demanding more accurate and robust attitude maneuvering capabilities. However, it is difficult to achieve especially for small satellites due to limited hardware resources of sensors, actuators, and processors. In this paper, to achieve the desired performance, a multi-algorithmic hybrid attitude determination and control system (ADCS) that utilizes a family of control and estimation algorithms is developed and implemented in numerical simulations and experiments for a small satellite. The hybrid automaton framework of the ADCS is designed to accomplish the desired performance with the limited hardware capability by switching the control and estimation algorithms effectively for given situations in space. The performance of the hybrid ADCS is evaluated through numerical and hardware-in-the-loop simulations that are based on a three-dimensional air-bearing testbed, CubeSat Three-Axis Simulator (CubeTAS). Simulation and experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the multi-algorithmic hybrid ADCS. The significance of this paper is in demonstrating that the hybrid automaton framework can be an effective approach to handle operational situations in space. It also provides a design reference for a small satellite ADCS.