Adaptive Attitude Control System for Space-Based Interceptor

An adaptive attitude control system for a space-based interceptor will ameliorate the effects of torque disturbances when firing a divert thruster with the line of force offset from its center of mass. The adaptive control algorithm is based on a simplified version of a model reference adaptive control concept. It possesses two features: (i) more robust performance for the interceptor guidance and control system under the influence of dynamic variations without the need of a parameter estimate, and (ii) ease of implementation, which is attractive to the enhancement of the interceptor performance. The adaptive control law is then configured together with the traditional fixed-gain controller to yield an optimal, reliable, and more robust performance architecture. This architecture can be applied to not only SDIO applications but also to a wider class of nonlinear and linear systems whose parameters are time-varying such as: robotic control, control of flexible space structure process control, and advanced self-repairing flight control systems.