Sliding mode control of a microsatellite attitude

Attitude control of a micro-satellite is analyzed with sliding control method. With this method, attitude dynamics of satellite is robust against uncertainties and unknown disturbances. Nonlinear and coupled model in this paper is utilized and to prevent chattering, saturation functions are invoked. The gravity gradient as a disturbance is applied. The sliding approach is applied to the SSETI/ESEO micro-satellite, initiated by the European Space Agency (ESA). The effectiveness of the controller is demonstrated through simulations.