Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics and Control

Spacecraft attitude dynamics and control is a study that encompasses kinematics, rigid-body dynamics, linear control theory and orbital environmental effects. This block models attitude dynamics using numerical integration. Spacecraft use thrusters to propel themselves in specific directions, however this approach has its limitations, including fuel usage and thruster cycle time. An alternative would be relying…

New Horizons Attitude Control System

New Horizons is equipped with a multilayered thermal insulation system to retain heat produced by its operating electronics, keeping its shape and remaining precisely aligned for gathering data through instruments, communicating with Earth or maneuvering through space. Small hydrazine thrusters reorient the spacecraft 100 times every second, while star trackers and an inertial measurement unit…

Spacecraft Attitude and Stabilization

Spacecraft attitudes require sensors to track vehicle orientation, actuators to apply the torques necessary to steer it in its desired direction, and algorithms that use sensor measurements and desired attitudes as input to control these actuators based on guidance, navigation and control (GNC). This integrated field is known as guidance, navigation and control (GNC). Simulink…

Spacecraft Attitude Control

Attitude refers to a spacecraft’s orientation in space. To be effective and precise in its operations, its attitude must be both stabilized and controlled to precisely point its high-gain antenna, conduct experiments aboard, and perform propulsion maneuvers. Given that attitude cannot be directly measured, its estimation must be calculated through sensor readings. Attitude determination systems…

Spacecraft Dynamics

Spacecraft dynamics is the subfield of celestial mechanics which studies human-created objects’ movements through space. It encompasses calculations, refinement and planning for such bodies such as spacecraft or satellites. Spacecraft Dynamics block computes position, velocity and attitude over time of six degree-of-freedom rigid-body systems with six degrees-of-freedom rigid bodies. Mass tab allows specifying an initial…