An Implementation of Predictive Functional Control for Image-Based Satellite Attitude Control

This paper presents an implementation of predictive functional control for imagebased satellite attitude control. The approach considers Low Earth Orbit small satellites equipped with an on-board camera for interactive Earth observation. The control goal is to keep a target on the Earth surface in the satellite’s camera field of view during orbiting of the satellite above the target. The control error is given in the image frame, therefore in-image interaction with the system is possible. Two types of control problems are considered: target tracking and oriented-target tracking. The system contains a delay that is taken into account in development of the predictive control law. The control problem is solved in the framework of predictive functional control that is based on the kinematic model of the satellite attitude. The presented control algorithm is validated in simulation environment.