Abstract:

Using electromagnetic force as actuation of space docking can avoid the inherent challenges with traditional small engine, such as propellant consuming, plume contamination and docking impact, and have high performance /cost ratio, so it has favorable applications to small satellites. There are highly nonlinearity and coupled characteristics in electromagnetic docking control, and uncertainty in the electromagnetic force model. Based on the combination of inner loop feedback linearization method with outer loop robust H∞ control method, the robust research of space electromagnetic docking is presented. Theoretical analysis and numerical simulation indicate that the combined control method can solve the nonlinearity, and has fine robust ability for model uncertainty and better tracking performance.

Key words: Space electromaGnetic docking, Inner-outer loop control synthesis, Feedback linearization, Robust H∞ control, Path tracking