A Rapid Target Searching Scheme for a Small Satellite with Device Limits

Abstract

In recent years, small satellites, which are more and more popular and affordable, have been already widely applied in observation and monitoring missions. However, it is a tough problem to meet the different mission requirements with such limits as space, energy, and devices. In this paper, we propose a practical target searching scheme for a small satellite which suffers from the device limits during the first 7.5 seconds after the launch separation. Due to the device limits at the beginning of the separation, the initial attitude of the satellite and the position of the target that the following observation task is based on are both unknown. In order to solve this problem, a backward integral strategy used to estimate the initial attitude and a target searching method intended to ensure the satellite acquires the target rapidly are included in the scheme. Simulation results proved that this scheme enabled the satellite, regardless of the initial conditions, to acquire the target within the limited observation time.