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Review of deployment controllers for space tethered system


Citation

Teik Hong, Aaron Aw and Varatharajoo, Renuganth and Chak, Yew Chung (2025) Review of deployment controllers for space tethered system. Advances in Space Research, 75 (4). pp. 3933-3949. ISSN 0273-1177; eISSN: 1879-1948

Abstract

This review article investigates the performance of newly designed controllers for Tethered Space Systems (TSS) deployment, comparing them to past and current research. Specifically, the study delves into the PD type controller, known for its simplicity and early development. While PD controllers adequately manage non-coplanar scenarios with external perturbations, they are limited to linearized cases. In contrast, advanced controllers like Sliding Mode Control (SMC) effectively handle TSS's highly nonlinear dynamics due to their robust nature. The study introduces a sigma function, derived from Djebli's literature, to regulate tether deployment rate and length across all controllers. Simulation results demonstrate the feasibility of controlling out-of-plane libration angles solely through the tether tension. Among the controllers tested, the advanced sigma-SMC exhibits superior accuracy during deployment, while the modified SMC deploys the tether fastest albeit with significant steady-state errors and deflection angles. Numerical results show that the original SMC controller performs well as the most fuel-efficient option. This comparison focuses solely on tether deployment with J2 and gravity-gradient perturbations, offering a foundation for further exploration into TSS missions, including factors like aerodynamic drag, solar radiation, third body perturbations, tether flexibility, and retrieval phase control, tailored to specific mission requirements.


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Additional Metadata

Item Type: Article
Subject: Aerospace Engineering
Subject: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Divisions: Faculty of Engineering
DOI Number: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2024.11.061
Publisher: Elsevier
Keywords: Fuel efficiency; Libration angles; Pd controller; Sigma function; Sliding Mode Control (SMC); Tethered Space Systems (TSS)
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Depositing User: Ms. Siti Radziah Mohamed@mahmod
Date Deposited: 28 Apr 2026 09:40
Last Modified: 28 Apr 2026 09:40
Altmetrics: http://www.altmetric.com/details.php?domain=psasir.upm.edu.my&doi=10.1016/j.asr.2024.11.061
URI: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/123190
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