Non-singular sliding mode control-based attitude control analysis of ELITE satellite with flywheel failures

Abstract This paper addresses the challenge of maintaining the attitude control of the ELITE satellite in the event of flywheel failures. Given the critical need for highly stable and precise attitude control during Time-Delay Integration (TDI) Imaging missions, a failure in any flywheels poses a significant threat to the satellite’s attitude control stability and accuracy. To tackle this issue, a Non-singular Sliding Mode Control (NSMC) method was proposed to ensure ELITE’s continued performance under flywheel failure conditions. The research involves a thorough analysis of ELITE’s attitude dynamics, followed by designing an NSMC tailored to its specifications. Theoretical validation of the NSMC’s finite-time stability was achieved using the Lyapunov function. Numerical simulations conducted demonstrate that the proposed NSMC method enables ELITE to maintain its attitude control stability and precision even in the presence of flywheel failures, thereby ensuring mission continuity and reliability.