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Nonlinear optimal attitude takeover control of failed spacecraft via pseudospectral game-theoretic differential dynamic programming.

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Title: Nonlinear optimal attitude takeover control of failed spacecraft via pseudospectral game-theoretic differential dynamic programming.
Authors: Lang, Xiaoyu1 (AUTHOR) xylang@bit.edu.cn, Li, Ruoshen1 (AUTHOR), Cao, Jialu1 (AUTHOR), Chen, Zhen1 (AUTHOR), Liu, Xiangdong1 (AUTHOR)
Source: Advances in Space Research. May2026, Vol. 77 Issue 9, p9579-9588. 10p.
Subjects: Microspacecraft, Game theory, Dynamic programming, Nonlinear control theory, Space vehicle attitude control systems, Discretization methods, Optimal control theory
Abstract: Spacecraft may lose attitude control authority due to propellant depletion or actuator malfunction, leaving valuable components underutilized in orbit and even become failed spacecraft. Using microsatellites to take over attitude control authority provides a practical pathway to recover control capability at modest cost and complexity. This paper proposes a pseudospectral game-theoretic differential dynamic programming (GT-DDP) method to design an optimal nonlinear multi-microsatellite attitude takeover controller for failed spacecraft under large-angle maneuver conditions. A quadratic performance index is constructed from terminal and running terms of attitude error and control energy in a cooperative setting. Gauss–Chebyshev quadrature is employed to discretize time to propagate dynamics and cost on nonuniform nodes. A forward–backward iterative scheme is executed until convergence, yielding optimal control torques for spacecraft attitude takeover. Simulation results under conditions of large-angle maneuver indicate that there is accurate terminal tracking of the quaternion and angular velocities, smooth torque profiles that respect bounds, and rapid convergence. Compared with the existing strategy, the proposed method can achieve higher terminal accuracy and reduced oscillations, while better accommodating nonlinearities and control torque bounds, highlighting its suitability for autonomous attitude takeover control of failed spacecraft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
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Abstract:Spacecraft may lose attitude control authority due to propellant depletion or actuator malfunction, leaving valuable components underutilized in orbit and even become failed spacecraft. Using microsatellites to take over attitude control authority provides a practical pathway to recover control capability at modest cost and complexity. This paper proposes a pseudospectral game-theoretic differential dynamic programming (GT-DDP) method to design an optimal nonlinear multi-microsatellite attitude takeover controller for failed spacecraft under large-angle maneuver conditions. A quadratic performance index is constructed from terminal and running terms of attitude error and control energy in a cooperative setting. Gauss–Chebyshev quadrature is employed to discretize time to propagate dynamics and cost on nonuniform nodes. A forward–backward iterative scheme is executed until convergence, yielding optimal control torques for spacecraft attitude takeover. Simulation results under conditions of large-angle maneuver indicate that there is accurate terminal tracking of the quaternion and angular velocities, smooth torque profiles that respect bounds, and rapid convergence. Compared with the existing strategy, the proposed method can achieve higher terminal accuracy and reduced oscillations, while better accommodating nonlinearities and control torque bounds, highlighting its suitability for autonomous attitude takeover control of failed spacecraft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:02731177
DOI:10.1016/j.asr.2026.02.075