Fault diagnosis in satellites using H∞ estimators

A model-based approach for on-line fault diagnosis in satellite is presented in this paper. The satellite studied is named MICROSCOPE. MICROSCOPE is a micro satellite under development at CNES (Centre National d´Etudes Spatiales, France). Its attitude and linear acceleration are controlled by 12 thrusters. The class of faults to be diagnosed is the thruster´s faults occurring when a thruster blocks itself or closes itself during operating. The method used to tackle the problem is based on H_∞ fault estimations techniques. The solution involves linear matrix inequalities (LMI) optimization techniques. Simulation results illustrate the potential of the method.