Nonlinear predictive control of spacecraft

A new approach for the control of a spacecraft with large angle maneuvers is presented. This new approach is based on a nonlinear predictive control scheme which determines the required torque input so that the predicted responses match the desired trajectories. This is accomplished by minimizing the norm-squared local errors between the predicted and desired quantities. Formulations are presented which use either attitude and rate tracking or attitude-tracking alone. The robustness of the new controller with respect to large system uncertainties is also demonstrated. Finally, simulation results are shown which use the new control strategy to stabilize the motion of the Microwave Anisotropy Probe spacecraft.