Satellite attitude control by quaternion-based backstepping

in this paper a result on attitude control of a micro satellite by integrator backstepping based on quaternion feedback is presented, resulting in a setpoint and a tracking controller. The controllers are shown to render the closed loop equilibrium points asymptotic stable (AS) and uniformly asymptotically stable (UAS), respectively. This is a part of a study of possible control methods for the spacecraft European Student Earth Orbiter (ESEO), a spacecraft included in the Student Space Exploration and Technology Initiative (SSETI) project initiated by ESA. The spacecraft is actuated by four reaction thrusters and one reaction wheel, and simulation results based on data from the satellite are presented.