Attitude synchronization of rigid spacecraft using terminal sliding mode

The problem of attitude synchronization for a group of rigid spacecraft is investigated in this paper under the general directed communication topology. Combining the strategies of finite-time control, fast terminal sliding mode (FTSM) control and adaptive control, a novel decentralized finite-time control law is proposed in the presence of inertia uncertainties and environmental disturbances. The new control scheme ensures that each spacecraft can attain the desired time-varying attitude and angular velocity in finite-time while maintaining attitude synchronization with other spacecraft in the formation. The feasibility of the control algorithm is investigated by an illustrative simulation example.