Control of Spin-Stabilized Spacecraft With Sloshing Fluid Stores

Abstract

Spin-stabilized spacecraft with sloshing fluid stores are known to be a source of dynamic instability for certain spacecraft configurations. A time varying linear feedback control law was developed, using an equivalent spherical pendulum mechanical model of the fluid motion coupled to the main body dynamics, which stabilizes the highly nonlinear dynamic system within a large region of operation. The control law was also demonstrated to perform a pointing maneuver. A control design for a specific spacecraft is outlined and implemented by sensing only the main body angular rates and attitude.