Spacecraft control research at NASA

Future missions is space will require controlling spacecraft which are both large and flexible. The limited inherent damping and the uncertain and changing dynamic characteristics of many of these vehicles, such as manned space stations and large antennas, will revolutionize spacecraft control requirements. In preparation for the time that such control systems are required, considerable research and technology development is necessary. A program is in place at NASA for the development of active control technology to support major initiatives for space station and advanced spacecraft. A number of key control technology program needs are cited in the paper as required for these and other future NASA missions together with an integrated controls/structures technology flight experiment to demonstrate and validate technology for large flexible structures.