Underactuated spacecraft angular velocity stabilization and three-axis attitude stabilization using two single gimbal control moment gyros

Angular velocity stabilization control and attitude stabilization control for an underactuated spacecraft using only two single gimbal control moment gyros (SGCMGs) as actuators is investigated. First of all, the dynamic model of the underactuated spacecraft is established and the singularity of different configurations with the two SGCMGs is analyzed. Under the assumption that the gimbal axes of the two SGCMGs are installed in any direction, and that the total system angular momentum is not zero, a state feedback control law via Lyapunovmethod is designed to globally asymptotically stabilize the angular velocity of spacecraft. Under the assumption that the gimbal axes of the two SGCMGs are coaxially installed along anyone of the three principal axes of spacecraft inertia, and that the total system angular momentum is zero, a discontinuous state feedback control law is designed to stabilize three-axis attitude of spacecraft with respect to the inertial frame. Furthermore, the singularity escape of SGCMGs for the above two control problems is also studied. Simulation results demonstrate the validity of the control laws.