Robust Optimal Control for Deploying Space Tethered System with Parameter Uncertainty

This paper proposes a robust optimal control scheme for deploying a two-body space tethered system rapidly and stably with parameter uncertainty. The parameter-varying model with the obvious parameter uncertainty of tethered systems is proposed. A comprehensive optimal index is introduced to mitigate the adverse effects of parameter uncertainty on the system, given the performance of system states and control output. A robust optimal pure-tension controller is proposed to ensure system stability and optimize the comprehensive index. Based on Lyapunov theory, the robust optimal control scheme is proved to be asymptotically stable and can satisfy the optimal index requirement. Finally, the effectiveness and superiority of the designed control scheme are validated through comparative numerical simulations.