Performance enhancement of disturbance-free payload with a novel design of architecture and control

A non-contact isolation technology called disturbance-free payload (DFP) can meet the unprecedented pointing and stability requirements for future space precision payloads. However, in its traditional architecture, the relative translation control provided by non-contact actuators is detrimental to system performance. To further improve the vibration isolation and payload attitude maneuvering performance, a novel design of architecture and control for DFP is proposed. Central to this concept is using a lightweight base plate controlled by a space manipulator as the support module to eliminate the harmful effects. With our method, tracking a fast moving object can be achieved. Moreover, the spacecraft bus does not have to follow the motion of the payload. The single degree-of-freedom control implemented by a non-contact actuator is analyzed to illustrate the effects from different types of control on vibration isolation. And the dynamic model of the DFP system is established. Based on a specified payload, the feedforward and feedback controllers for both DFP architectures are designed. Simulation results show that the proposed architecture enhances the isolation capability and benefits payload agile maneuvering and tracking as compared to the conventional one.