Design and Analysis of an Optimal Orbit Control for a Communication Satellite

In this article, design and analysis of an optimal orbit control for a communication satellite is investigated. It is the challenging task and critical importance to control the orbit of a communication satellite especially the one used for worldwide communication. The main objective of this work is to evolve a design based on modelling and simulation of an optimal orbit controller for a satellite orbiting into a a geostationary orbit. This article first presents the mathematical model of satellite orbital dynamics and then illustrates the basic idea and technical formulation for controller design. The paper briefly explains the linear quadratic regulator (LQR) design method for optimal feedback control of the satellite orbital system. This approach has been considered in order to assure high control performance of the system. The simulation results show that if the satellite orbital system follow the control pattern obtained through the MATLAB simulation, the use of fuel for the thrusters can be optimized and the satellite orbit perturbation can be controlled within the specified design requirements. This can increase the efficiency of the thrusters and the lifetime of the satellite. Keywords—Communication satellite, modelling, simulation, geostationary orbit, linear quadratic regulation, orbit control.