Model predictive technics based three-axis stabilization control of a drag-free satellite

The problem of three-axis stabilization of a low earth orbiting drag-free satellite is addressed using model predictive control technics. This paper considers extending the current literature within this area through a suitable handling of exogenous disturbance model for the standard predictive controller. For low earth orbiting satellites the disturbances due to external environment are mainly from atmosphere drag and thus bear a periodic characteristic to some extent. A sinusoidal model is constructed to represent the disturbances and handled through an augmented vector. It´s assumed to be the input of system, i.e. the measured disturbance of controller. In the problem formulation are considered performance constraints in terms of the propulsion system activity, residual acceleration levels and the satellite´s attitude angles. Simulation results are presented and analyzed in order to confirm the fulfillment of constraints and the performance requirements achieving.