Designing active optics control for satellites with structural dynamics in very low Earth orbit

This conference paper presents an initial investigation on implementing an AO system on small satellites in VLEO, focusing on the complex orbital environmental factors that affect the satellite’s structure. Particular attention is given to the uncertainties of these excitation factors, which can cause unexpected motions and attitude changes. A novel control strategy is proposed, incorporating additional sensors into the system, with several self-sensing architectures implemented. The control scheme outlined in this study is intended for potential iterations of the technology in future applications.