In-orbit estimation of inertia parameters of target satellite after capturing the tracking satellite

After capturing the tracking satellite, the target satellite will turn into a compound satellite, and the inertia parameters of target satellite can produce great changes and greatly affect the attitude control system and its control effect. In order to estimate the inertia parameters of target satellite, two methods including the method based on Angular Momentum Conservation Law and the modified method based on Angular Momentum Conservation Law are proposed. Comparisons are made with the least-square method. Simulation results show that the inertia parameters of compound satellite can be estimated directly within 200s, so the inertia parameters of target satellite can also be estimated. Compared with the once least-square method, the estimation precision of methods based on Angular Momentum Conservation and modified Angular Momentum Conservation Law are higher. But the product of inertia precision of the modified method is the highest of the three. Basically, it can meet the needs of the inertial parameters estimation of target satellite.