Dynamics, identification and control experiments (DICE): controlling flexible structures in space

摘要

A series of dynamics, identification and control experiments--'DICE'-- is proposed for the NASA space shuttle in 1999. The current approach features a one-meter spacecraft in unfettered motion inside the shuttle middeck, with the experiments performed by a Canadian astronaut. The in-orbit experiments, as presently conceived, comprise the following sequence: demonstrating attitude control, based on ground analysis and tes; conducting dynamics tests for system identification; developing improved controllers, based on the system identification; and , finally, trying these new controllers later in the flight. An initial design, an initial operations plan, and an initial research plan have been developed. A Phase-I Engineering Model of DICE has also been built and tested, demonstrating the experiment's feasibility.