Modeling and control of attitude dynamics of a space station with changing structure

First, a quasi-coordinate Lagrange method was employed to derive a mathematical model for a space station with a fixed structure containing flexible appendages. Then, taking into account the characteristics of structure change, a mathematical model for a space station with changing structure was generated through some appropriate transformations. On the above basis, a new decentralized variable-structure control algorithm was adopted to control the attitude and the flexible vibrations of the space station. Finally, the validity of the proposed scheme was verified by simulation results.