A pointing control system design for the science package of a NASA high-altitude research balloon is described. The balloon assembly consists of a single helium balloon connected to a payload recovery parachute, payload gondola, and ballast hopper. Pointing of the scientific payload is accomplished via an arrangement of drive motors and a flywheel. Linear quadratic regulator (LQR) synthesis techniques are employed to produce the azimuth and elevation controller designs. The use of LQR synthesis is motivated by the azimuthal dynamic coupling encountered between the balloon and gondola. Two control devices are employed in azimuth, one of which is a decoupler motor and the other a flywheel. The decoupler motor is intended to isolate the gondola from the balloon such that the flywheel can be accelerated or decelerated about a steady-state angular velocity to provide precise azimuthal pointing. The multiple-input/multiple-output nature of the azimuth pointing problem is best handled in a matrix synthesis procedure such as LQR. The controller design methodology is explained, and a combination of time responses and singular value analyses are used to analytically evaluate the performance of the control system. 11 refs., 17 figs. (ERA citation 13:045517)


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Linear-Quadratic-Regulator Pointing Control System Design for a High-Altitude Balloon Payload


    Contributors:
    J. E. White (author) / J. R. Etter (author)

    Publication date :

    1987


    Size :

    42 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English






    PRECISION POINTING OF A PAYLOAD SUSPENDED FROM A HIGH ALTITUDE BALLOON

    Bageshwar, V. / Garrard, W. / International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2006


    2013 Elijah High Altitude Balloon Payload Team

    Cybela, Trent / Kass, Daniel / Koeune, Amber et al. | TIBKAT | 2014

    Free access

    2017 WSGC Elijah High-Altitude Balloon Payload

    Hennigan, Nicholas McWilliam / Oliphant, Stuart / Rasmussen, Tyler T et al. | TIBKAT | 2018

    Free access