Galileo inflight friction identification for the scan platform control loop

Two types of friction identification algorithms (position-based and rate-based) are investigated in an attempt to better understand cone actuator inflight behavior in the Galileo scan platform pointing system. This investigation involves the measurement of the scan platform position (or rate) with respect to the stator following a platform slew maneuver. Inflight data collection by the spacecraft's sensors and subsequent ground-based data processing comprise the two major steps in the identification experiment. The proposed algorithms were capable of obtaining friction estimates within + or - 10 percent accuracy; hence, it is concluded that this inflight system identification technique can sufficiently tune the Galileo cone controller.