Six degree of freedom variable hierarchy sliding mode control in halo orbits with potential function guidance

This paper presents a variable hierarchy six degree of freedom non-linear sliding mode controller for a satellite using potential function guidance for both position and attitude. The novelty is the formulation of the joint attitude/position sliding mode controller in combination with potential function guidance and proof of its asymptotic stability. The control method scales well to multiple satellites flying in formation with dynamic position and attitude requirements and as such is highly relevant to application in space systems such as interferometry. A target application of the acquisition and maintenance of a Halo type orbit about an unstable collinear Lagrange point, to a specified attitude, is obtained under the influence of the restricted three body dynamics.