FlexSat: Control Systems for Satellite Design

Abstract

Control systems technology is a critical application of engineering and estimation theory in order to optimize various systems. Generally, the purpose and implementation of control systems are to improve the system throughput (manufacturing), performance, reliability, predictability, and safety. However, designing effective control systems is not a trivial task. This project will analyze the impacts of adding a compensator to an otherwise unstable system in the design of small, flexible satellites (FlexSat). For this project, a compensator is used with a star tracker sensor. Analysis of the state space and transfer functions are completed using common techniques including Nyquist, Bode, and Root Locus methods.