A Time-Varying Subspace Method for Shape Estimation of a Flexible Spacecraft Membrane

Matthew Brownell, Andrew Sinclair, Puneet Singla

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The focus of this work is to develop a reduced-order model to capture the motion of a large, flexible spacecraft from distributed sensor measurements. The spacecraft structure is motivated by a concept for capturing solar energy and accurately directing it to desired locations on the Earth’s surface. A previously developed analytical model is utilized to simulate data of the fullycoupled attitude-orbital-flexible dynamics of a large spacecraft in orbit. Utilizing this simulation in place of an experimental test-bed, local acceleration sensor measurements, distributed across the surface of the spacecraft, are obtained. This data is then used to find a reduced-order model to estimate the shape of the spacecraft in real-time with lower computational complexity. Rather than finding a global model between input and output space, system theory concepts are utilized to find a subspace over which the unknown dynamics evolve. This paper utilizes the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA) to obtain said reduced-order model. The derived reduced-order model is guaranteed to capture controllable and observable modes of the spacecraft motion. The reduced-order model’s validity is tested by attempting to replicate the analytical model’s output data and dynamic characteristics such as modal frequency and damping. The resultant reduced-order model accurately reproduced the output data and dynamic characteristics of the analytical model. This provides a basis for optimism in identifying flexible-body dynamics from input-output data while in an orbit.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAIAA SciTech Forum and Exposition, 2023
PublisherAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA
ISBN (Print)9781624106996
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023
EventAIAA SciTech Forum and Exposition, 2023 - Orlando, United States
Duration: Jan 23 2023Jan 27 2023

Publication series

NameAIAA SciTech Forum and Exposition, 2023

Conference

ConferenceAIAA SciTech Forum and Exposition, 2023
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando
Period1/23/231/27/23

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Aerospace Engineering

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