Near-minimum-time maneuvers of large structures, Theory and experiments

This paper describes the design and implementation processes of near-minimum-time control for the Advanced Space Structures Technology Research Experiment (ASTREX) test article located at the Phillips Laboratory, Edwards Air Force Base. The test article is equipped with compressed air thrusters that can be throttled. The mathematical model is obtained by using experimentally obtained data and includes effects such as thruster dynamics, fuel constraints, leakage, and multi-body interactions. Both open-loop and feedback strategies are developed and verified experimentally. The open-loop thruster profiles are generated using constrained parameter optimization. The feedback control profiles are generated using Lyapunov stability theory, for both final position regulation and tracking of the open-loop commands. The results show excellent agreement between theory and experiment.