Three-Axis Attitude Control for Solar-Powered Electric Propulsion Spacecraft

740874

02/01/1974

Event
Aerospace Engineering and Manufacturing Meeting
Authors Abstract
Content
Solar electric propulsion (SEP) provides a unique capability for interplanetary missions, although spacecraft designs based on solar power, developed by large flexible arrays, lead to formidable vehicle interactions with attitude control. Control techniques must be developed for both thrusting and non-thrusting modes of operation. The challenges to be faced are the development of new control concepts and the design analysis for vehicle/control interaction. Control design tradeoffs are discussed to show the rationale for present designs and to indicate future concerns. It is concluded that the state-of-the-art of control system design is mature enough to support an SEP spacecraft for such heliocentric missions as rendezvous or slow flyby of the comet Encke or out-of-the ecliptic missions in the 1980s.
Meta TagsDetails
DOI
https://doi.org/10.4271/740874
Pages
15
Citation
Bouvier, H., "Three-Axis Attitude Control for Solar-Powered Electric Propulsion Spacecraft," SAE Technical Paper 740874, 1974, https://doi.org/10.4271/740874.
Additional Details
Publisher
Published
Feb 1, 1974
Product Code
740874
Content Type
Technical Paper
Language
English