Attitude control algorithms for the Solar Maximum Mission

Abstract

Algorithms for onboard attitude control of the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) are discussed and test results are presented. The algorithms include: despin and sun acquisition, control of pitch and yaw (sun pointing) to 5 arc-sec accuracy and roll (around the sun line) to 0.1 deg, time-optimal and constant-rate slew sequences, attitude maintenance during orbit night and sun reacquisition at orbit dawn, momentum unloading, and gyro drift calibration. The tests were performed on the SMM Software Development and Validation Facility at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center with a FORTRAN prototype version of the onboard software.