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Satellite Detumbling Simulation Using (B-Dot) Control

The document presents a simulation of satellite detumbling using the B-dot control method, which utilizes the Earth's magnetic field and onboard magnetorquers. It outlines the assumptions, physical model, control concept, and simulation details, demonstrating successful detumbling through MATLAB. The simulation highlights the effectiveness of the B-dot algorithm while acknowledging its limitations and suggesting future improvements for more realistic modeling.

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Lee
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6 views9 pages

Satellite Detumbling Simulation Using (B-Dot) Control

The document presents a simulation of satellite detumbling using the B-dot control method, which utilizes the Earth's magnetic field and onboard magnetorquers. It outlines the assumptions, physical model, control concept, and simulation details, demonstrating successful detumbling through MATLAB. The simulation highlights the effectiveness of the B-dot algorithm while acknowledging its limitations and suggesting future improvements for more realistic modeling.

Uploaded by

Lee
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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2025

SATELLITE DETUMBLING SIMULATION


USING (B-DOT) CONTROL

GUIDANCE, NAVIGATION, AND CONTROL (GNC)

PREPARED BY

MOHAMED HARHASH
1. Introduction
Controlling a satellite’s attitude (its orientation in space) is crucial for mission success.
When satellites are deployed into orbit, they often tumble due to deployment forces. This
tumbling must be stopped or reduced — a process known as detumbling — before more
precise attitude control can begin.

The B-dot algorithm is a simple, low-power method for detumbling. It relies solely on the
Earth’s magnetic field and onboard magnetorquers — devices that produce magnetic
dipole moments to create torques.

This simulation models the detumbling of a small satellite (e.g., CubeSat) using B-dot
control in MATLAB.

2. Assumptions
To simplify the model and focus on the core B-dot control concept, the following
assumptions are made:

Assumption Description
The satellite is considered to be stationary at a single
Fixed Orbital Point orbital point (500 km, equator) — no orbital propagation is
included.
The magnetic field vector is assumed to be measured with
Perfect Magnetometer
no noise or bias.
No gravity-gradient, atmospheric drag, or solar pressure
No External Disturbances
torques.
Rigid Body The satellite is a rigid body with constant diagonal inertia.

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3. Satellite Physical Model
The satellite is modeled as a rigid body governed by Euler’s rotational dynamics:

3.1 Equations of Motion


(1) Rotational Dynamics (Euler's Equation):

(2) Quaternion Kinematics:

To represent 3D orientation, unit quaternions are used:

4. B-dot Control Concept

4.1 Magnetic Torque


A magnetic dipole m in a magnetic field B generates a torque:

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4.2 B-dot Control Law
The B-dot controller calculates a magnetic dipole that opposes changes in the magnetic
field vector (i.e., rotational motion):

5. MATLAB Simulation Details

5.1 Parameters
Parameter Value
Time step (dt) 1s
Simulation time 100,000 s
Inertia Matrix (I) diag([0.01, 0.01, 0.02]) kg·m²
Initial Angular Velocity [1; -1; 0.5] deg/s
Initial Attitude (quaternion) [1; 0; 0; 0]
B-dot gain −1000-1000
Max magnetic dipole moment 1 A·m²
Orbit altitude 500 km

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• Code Snippet:

6. Simulation Loop Workflow


At each time step:

1. Get Earth's magnetic field vector from IGRF model

2. Transform it to the satellite body frame using the rotation matrix from the
quaternion

3. Compute dB/dt

4. Apply B-dot control law

5. Compute torque and update dynamics

6. Normalize quaternion

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7. Results

7.1 Angular Velocity Plot


As expected, the angular velocities ωx,ωy,ωz converge to near zero, showing successful
detumbling.

7.2 Attitude Visualization


Using MATLAB’s poseplot, we can visualize the satellite’s orientation as it detumbles.

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8. Educational Insights
• Why B-dot Works: The satellite’s rotation causes the Earth’s magnetic field vector
to appear time-varying. By generating a dipole that opposes this change, we apply a
torque that slows down rotation.

• Why Saturation is Necessary: Real magnetorquers have current limits. Saturating


prevents applying unrealistic torques and reflects practical actuator constraints.

• Why Use Quaternions: They avoid singularities (gimbal lock) and are numerically
stable for representing 3D rotations, unlike Euler angles.

• Why the Satellite Doesn’t Fully Stop: The B-dot algorithm is a passive controller
designed to reduce rotational speed, not achieve exact zero rotation. As angular
velocity becomes small, the rate of change of the magnetic field also becomes
small, resulting in diminishing control torques. Eventually, the control effect
becomes negligible, and the satellite coasts with a very slow residual spin. This
behavior is acceptable for transitioning into a fine-pointing control mode using more
precise actuators.

9. Limitations
• Fixed orbit position: no true orbital motion

• No sensor or actuator modeling (noise, delay)

• No environmental disturbances

These are acceptable for early-stage controller validation.

10. Conclusion
This simulation successfully demonstrates the detumbling of a satellite using the B-dot
control method. Even with simplified assumptions, it highlights the core physics and
control logic behind one of the most used passive attitude control techniques for small
satellites.

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11. Future Improvements
• Simulate true orbital motion with TLE or Keplerian elements

• Add sensor noise and bias to simulate realistic magnetometers

• Include other disturbances (gravity-gradient, drag)

• Extend to hybrid attitude control (e.g., momentum wheels + B-dot)

12. Source Code:


Click Here

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