Improved backstepping control for large angle maneuvers of spacecraft

For the control of large angle maneuvers of a spacecraft, variable gain backstepping control is proposed. The controller can make the states of the system converge to the commanded position along the input vector field orientation. The controller stabilizes the system with the amplitude of the commanded torques decreased. Considering the uncertainty of the disturbance torques and the estimation error of the inertia matrix, the control design is improved to provide strong self-adaptability and robustness of the system. Simulation is conducted, and the results show that the design has good tracking performance and convergence, consistent with the theoretical analysis.