Analytical low-jerk reorientation maneuvers for multi-body spacecraft structures

A low-jerk attitude guidance method is developed, based on an analytical smoothing of a bang-off-bang maneuver. A set of closed-form equations are derived and used to plan constrained low-jerk maneuvers, with prescribed boundary conditions, inertia, time and maximum control torque. The guidance law is first developed for one-dimensional and then three-dimensional rotations using two different approaches: (i) by designing a rotation about the Euler axis and (ii) by using the inverse kinematics equations. A generic model of the torque induced by a multi-body appendage is derived using the lumped-parameter method. This method can also be used to approximate the dynamic behavior of flexible appendages. The simulations results show that the smoothing techniques reduce the excitation of multi-body and flexible structures during a slew maneuver.