Robust control for satellite attitude regulation during on-orbit assembly

In the future, large satellites may be automatically assembled on-orbit in order to reduce weight and increase volume efficiency in launchers. During this process, it may be important to maintain satellite attitude. This paper presents a dynamic model, including reaction wheels and a twisting-algorithm-based sliding-mode controller, to maintain attitude during a simple self-assembly process. Simulation results of this controller are compared with results from other controllers found in the literature.