A Study of Linear vs. Nonlinear Control Techniques for the Reconfiguration of Satellite Formations

This thesis investigates several linear and nonlinear feedback control methods for satellite formation reconfigurations and compares them to a near optimal open loop, discrete-time, impulsive maneuver. The reconfigurations are done in terms of a set of relative parameters that define an orbit about the leader satellite or center reference position if a leader satellite does not exist at the center of the formation. The purpose of the study is two-fold, to compare the control usage of continuous feedback control methods versus a discrete bum method and to determine if nonlinear control techniques offer significant improvement over more conventional linear control laws. Linear Quadratic Regulators LQR, LQR with linearizing feedback, State Dependent Riccati Equation SDRE and sliding mode controllers are considered. Simulations showed that reconfigurations for small relative orbits were adequately controlled using linear techniques.