Real time digital simulation of a satellite attitude control system

Satellite attitude control systems have too many dynamic variables for all cases of operation. Therefore, their tests for all these conditions may not be possible or may require highly specialised test environments. As an alternative to these time consuming and expensive methods, real time digital simulation and hardware in the loop methods that are developed in the latest years can be used. This paper presents a new approach for the real-time digital simulation and hardware in the loop support for testing satellite attitude control system. Control Moment Gyroscope has been chosen as the example system. Real time models of brushless dc motor and stepper motor have been obtained, and in connection with these models a steering logic model has been developed for satellite attitude control system within the same real time digital simulation environment.