Innovative Control Scheme for the VENµS Mission

Paper number

IAC-07-C1.8.06

Author

Mr. Dov Verbin, Israel Aerospace Industries. Ltd., Israel

Coauthor

Mr. Meir Gefen, Israel Aerospace Industries LTD, Israel

Coauthor

Mr. Ofir Sasson, Israel Aerospace Industries LTD, Israel

Year

2007

Abstract

Venµs is a scientific Low Earth Orbit observation satellite program that is built on the cooperation between the French and Israels space agencies : CNES and ISA. 

Venµs has two main  missions :
  
1) The scientific mission consists of daily multi-spectral imaging of some selected agricultural areas in a repeated sun synchroneous orbit. This mission will test the feasibility of precise farming that is assited by images from space.  

2) The technological mission purpose is to test and demonstrate the value of electrical propulsion in Low Earth Orbit missions. The electric thruster mission is to reduce Venµs altitude from 800KM to 400KM.  

Venµs technological mission requires from the control system to be able to orient the satellite at any given attitude. In order to fulfill this requirement without increasing the number of sensors, an innovative reaction wheel attitude control scheme, that is based on magnetic field direction measurements alone has been developed.
In this scheme, the One Vector attitude Estimator (OVE) is the key part, and is further detailed in the paper. OVE design is based on an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF). The estimated vector, that  consists of quaternion and inertial angular momentum, is regularly updated from a triple-axis-magnetometer measurements. 
The paper introduces the estimator and the control loop, as well as results from a digital 6DOF simulation. The simulation demonstrates maneuvers and regular cruise.

Abstract document

IAC-07-C1.8.06.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-07-C1.8.06.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.