Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5003044 | IFAC-PapersOnLine | 2016 | 6 Pages |
Abstract
This paper investigates the feasibility of a concept for acquisition and maintenance of a gyroless three-axis stabilized Sun pointing attitude from tumbling conditions on a Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO) in the presence of sunlight, based on the sole utilisation of Sun sensors and reaction wheels. It uses the ESA PROBA-3 mission as a study case. Based on candidate algorithms identified in the literature, suitable Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) functions are designed to meet the PROBA-3 Sun Acquisition Mode pointing requirements. The proposed GNC loop is validated in a high fidelity closed-loop simulation environment and is found to be reliable provided observability conditions are met. These conditions and other limitations are discussed.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Engineering
Computational Mechanics
Authors
Pamela Woo, Marie-Kiki Langelier, Jean-François Hamel, Jean de Lafontaine, Stefano Santandrea,