Adaptive nonlinear control of spacecraft

The problem of spacecraft attitude control and momentum management is addressed using nonlinear controllers based on feedback linearization. A chief limitation of the feedback linearization technique is that it requires an exact cancellation of nonlinear terms in order to obtain linear input-output behavior. Adaptive nonlinear controllers for linearizable systems are investigated to overcome this restriction and to achieve asymptotic linear behavior. The adaptive nonlinear approach is shown to effectively control the Space Station attitude and effector momentum, while providing accurate estimates of inertias.