Fuzzy sliding mode controller design for satellite attitude tracking

To solve the attitude tracking problem of a rigid satellite, a fuzzy sliding mode controller design method is addressed. First, according to the tracking error dynamics and kinematics described by unit quaternion error and angular velocity error, a sliding mode controller is derived based on Lyapunov theory. Thus, the drawbacks of sliding mode control in terms of chattering are overcome by incorporating fuzzy control to the switching logic. Finally, simulations are eventually performed for the satellite attitude tracking system. Simulation results demonstrate that the control scheme realizes the attitude tracking control and is robust to uncertainty in satellite inertia parameters and to external disturbance torques.