Autonomous Control of a Small Spacecraft in Initial Orientation Modes

Abstract

The problems of autonomous digital control of the small information satellites and space robots in the initial orientation modes are considered. Autonomous angular guidance and modularly limited vector digital control using a vector of the modified Rodrigues parameters are applying to bring the spacecraft’s orientation from completely arbitrary to the required one. The developed methods, algorithms and simulation results for a mini-satellite in a sun-synchronous orbit are presented.