LTV Approach to Satellite Attitude Control Using Only Magnetic Actuation

In this paper a new control method is presented that keeps the attitude of satellite in desired conditions only by electromagnetic coils. Recently small satellites are used more commonly because of the low launching cost and development of microelectronics. Also lower weight, size, cost and the power consumption of magnetorquer, has made the application of them in controlling attitude of the satellites common. Intensive changes and non-ability of geomagnetic field are some of the problems, which have limited the efficiency of magnetorquers.The distinction of this method is its abilities in comparison with other methods. In this analytic method a direct relation between design parameters, attitude accuracy and external disturbance, will be established and the poles of system can be easily and properly placed. Weight and volume of coils will be reduced at least to 1/3 and subsequently energy consumption will be also decreased. Unlike previous methods that are just allocable to orbits with inclination angle about 90 degrees, in this method there is no limitation for inclination of orbit. Designing by this method is very simple and has few calculations and is used online.