Robust Adaptive Continuous Spacecraft Formation Control Accounting for Actuator Dynamics

Control of perturbed coupled nonlinear six degree-of-freedom systems, such as that of a spacecraft formation, augmented by actuator dynamics is considered. In a space environment, significant uncertainty may exist, leading to inadequate information on disturbance torques and forces and their unknown associated bounds. Thus, the methods of adaptive continuous higher-order sliding mode control (ACHOSM) are explored to solve these problems. In this work, we show that ACHOSM methods are superior as compared to PD-plus controller through simulations.