Affordable Demonstration of Very Flexible, Large Spacecraft Structures Control and Pointing

The PowerSail is a new paradigm in space systems that offers significant performance and cost improvements for on-orbit power generation. The PowerSail will co-orbit in formation with a satellite, with flexible interconnects and a robotic arm managing thelink between the two structures. The research will produce key technologies that will enable realization of the PowerSail concept. By enabling robust algorithms for attitude control in the presence of low frequency flexible body dynamics, the supportingtechnologies include test methods and devices for quantifying behavior of the flexible structures, lightweight passive and active damping treatments, and a power-transmitting mechanically compliant interface between the host satellite and the PowerSailrobotic arm. Component models, system models, and control algorithms will be developed. PowerSail structural elements will be tested, using new methods as necessary, including a single bay, membrane, multiple-bay structures and a robot arm. Amechanically-compliant power transfer assembly will be designed. Techniques for direct control and damping of flexible structure response will be demonstrated. In a follow-on effort, the basic effort will be expanded upon and a two-dimensional attitudecontrol testbed will be created, a small robotic arm will be designed, system identification algorithms will be produced, and a concept will be investigated for gravity offload systems to support full-scale ground tests.