Tools and methods for spacecraft control systems: a geno-fuzzy approach

The goal of the paper is to analyze which computational methods and modeling tools based on fuzzy logic helped by genetic algorithms are available right now. The emphasis is put on the analyses and design of spacecraft control systems due to their complexity. A spacecraft control system measures the position and attitude of the craft and produces guidance and rotation commands to place it in a specific orbit and with a specific orientation. Spacecraft control units are complex systems difficult to handle during the analysis and design phases of the engineering life cycle. The article describes who-is-who in the development arena of the support tools and methods, which commercial products are available, and which of them are freely obtainable. The state of the art is presented, and the advantages and disadvantages of each system are carefully examined from a critical point of view