Attitude Determination and Control in Small Satellites: A Review

Abstract

Small satellites are becoming a significant part of the space industry and educational field. Small satellite development has increased significantly during the past decades due to their low-cost development and construction facility. One of the essential parts of a satellite is the attitude determination and control system (ADCS) which dictates and controls the orientation of the satellite in space and makes the control maneuver. Still, it is also one of the systems that present more issues and that can cause a mission failure. For developing an ADCS, simulation and testing are important before implementation. This article reviews the approaches for small satellite dynamics, types of control that can be implemented in small satellites, and the devices that can be used in the ADCS, mentioning the advantages and disadvantages. Explanations about classical and modern control algorithms that are currently used for small satellites are presented to show the latest advances in the field.