Satellite Attitude Control System Validation in an Air Beared Sphere

This paper presents the use of a testbed for satellite attitude control system (ACS), that can allow verifying and assessment of several control methods and algorithms for satellites in a frictionless environment. It consists on an airbearing that keeps an aluminum sphere suspended in the air, while the sphere can rotate in three degrees of freedom. The system’s software is projected in a module based pattern, with the data modules separated from the control module, and as such, the control algorithm can be altered or replaced easily by reusing the preexistent communication modules and protocols. To exemplify the uses of the testbed, a non-linear controller was used, composed by a component that provides linearization by compensating non-linearities and a linear component, a PD controller. Keywords— Satellite Attitude Control, Control Algorithm Verification.