Nonlinear predictive control of spacecraft

A new approach for the control of a spacecraft with large-angle maneuvers is presented. This new approach is based on a nonlinear predictive control scheme that determines the required torque input so that the predicted responses match the desired trajectories. This is accomplished by minimizing the norm-squared local errors between the predicted and desired quantities. Formulations that use either attitude and rate tracking or attitude tracking alone are presented. The robustness of the new controller with respect to large system uncertainties is also demonstrated. Finally, simulation results that use the new control strategy to stabilize the motion of the Microwave Anisotropy Probe spacecraft are shown.