Analysis of Full Order Observer Based Control for Spacecraft Orbit Maneuver Trajectory Under Solar Radiation Pressure

TL;DR

This paper presents a full order observer-based control method to enhance the accuracy and robustness of spacecraft orbit maneuvers in low Earth orbit affected by solar radiation pressure, validated through stability and control analyses.

Contribution

It introduces a novel observer-based feedback control framework specifically designed for precise orbit correction under external disturbances like SRP.

Findings

Improved trajectory accuracy compared to uncontrolled cases.

Enhanced disturbance rejection with moderate control effort.

Validated stability, observability, and controllability of the control system.

Abstract

This study investigates the application of modern control theory to improve the precision of spacecraft orbit maneuvers in low Earth orbit under the influence of solar radiation pressure. A full order observer based feedback control framework is developed to estimate system states and compensate for external disturbances during the trajectory correction phase following main engine cut off. The maneuver trajectory is generated using Lambert guidance, while the observer based controller ensures accurate tracking of the target orbit despite SRP perturbations. The effectiveness of the proposed design is assessed through stability, observability, and controllability analyses. Stability is validated by step-response simulations and eigenvalue distributions of the system dynamics. Observability is demonstrated through state matrix rank analysis, confirming complete state estimation. Controllability is verified using state feedback rank conditions and corresponding control performance plots. Comparative simulations highlight that, in contrast to uncontrolled or conventional control cases, the observer based controller achieves improved trajectory accuracy and robust disturbance rejection with moderate control effort. These findings indicate that observer-based feedback control offers a reliable and scalable solution for precision orbital maneuvering in LEO missions subject to environmental disturbances.