A Predefined-Time Control for the Laser Acquisition in Space Gravitational Wave Detection Mission

Area of Science:

• Space technology
• Astrophysics
• Control systems engineering

Background:

• Laser communication between satellites is vital for advanced space missions like gravitational detection.
• Challenges include long distances, sensor limitations, narrow laser beams, and the space environment.
• Current methods face difficulties in achieving reliable satellite-to-satellite laser link establishment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the laser acquisition problem for a novel satellite design.
• To propose an effective control strategy for the satellite laser acquisition phase.
• To enhance the efficiency and reliability of inter-satellite laser links.

Main Methods:

• Development of a predefined-time controller law for the laser acquisition phase.
• Utilizing a new satellite configuration with two two-degree-of-freedom telescopes.
• Conducting numerical simulations to validate the proposed control strategy.

Main Results:

• The proposed predefined-time controller law effectively addresses the laser acquisition problem.
• The new strategy demonstrates higher efficiency in establishing laser links.
• Control performance meets the stringent requirements for gravitational detection missions.

Conclusions:

• The developed controller law is effective for satellite laser acquisition.
• The new strategy significantly improves the efficiency of inter-satellite laser link establishment.
• The control performance is suitable for critical space-based gravitational detection missions.