Time-shared scheme design for attitude control system during space separation

In this paper, a quasi-Euler-angle-based phase plane attitude switching control law (PPASCL) is introduced to control the Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV) during the separation process between the OTV and the released satellite/payload. In particular, three reverse-jet thrusters serve to separate the OTV from the unlatched satellite, and in the case that the center of mass of the OTV does not coincide with its body axis, the resulted reverse-jet force will impact the attitude of the OTV, it is thus necessary to employ the large-thrust attitude control nozzles in this scenario. Due to the fact that the opposite two large-thrust nozzles could not fire simultaneously, the adjacent nozzles have to be employed together to control either the pitch or the yaw channel as well as to reduce the disturbance imposing on the roll axis. Moreover, a time-shared attitude control scheme (TCS) is adopted in practical implementation. Simulation results show that the proposed PPASCL and TCS are feasible and effective. In addition, when the regulating coefficients are properly specified, a smooth and safety separation can be ensured.