Attitude synchronization of chaotic satellites with unknown dynamics using a neural network based fixed time sliding mode controller

Abstract

This study investigates the synchronization and anti-synchronization of both identical and non-identical chaotic satellite systems. A fixed-time sliding mode control framework, based on a radial basis function (RBF) neural network, has been developed to synchronize the chaotic dynamics of master–slave satellite configurations. The proposed control scheme operates under the assumption that the dynamics of the satellites are not entirely known. The proposed control method guarantees that system errors will converge to negligible levels within a fixed time. Furthermore, the controller exhibits robustness in the presence of parametric uncertainties and external disturbances. The stability of the controlled systems is rigorously validated through Lyapunov analysis, and the controller’s effectiveness is confirmed through extensive simulation studies. These simulations are conducted on both identical and non-identical satellite models, with performance comparisons made against recent findings reported in the literature.