Attitude tracking control for spacecraft formation with time-varying delays and switching topology

This paper investigates attitude dynamic tracking control for spacecraft formation in the presence of unmeasurable velocity information with time-varying delays and switching topology. Based on an extended state observer, a nonlinear attitude tracking control approach is developed for spacecraft attitude model formulated by Euler Lagrangian equations. The attitude tracking controller allows for external disturbances and absence of angular velocity information, Both auto-stable region techniques and a Lyapunov function approach are developed to prove ultimately bounded tracking. Simulation results demonstrate effectiveness of the nonlinear control techniques proposed in this paper. (C) 2016 IAA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.