Internship/ Thesis (m/w/d) Advanced methods for spacecraft attitude control

e:fs TechHub, specifically e:space, uses the outstanding know-how and long-term experience in technology development from automotive in space applications.

The objective of this thesis is to investigate state-of-the-art methods and algorithms from the literature for safe and efficient control of a spacecraft in orbit using usual actuators such as reaction wheels. Modern algorithms such as robust or learning-based MPC (model predictive control) will be analysed and assessed. Selected algorithms will be implemented and validated using simulations and on a prototype. An ADCS (Attitude determination and control system) test bed and a satellite prototype has been already developed and used at e:fs. An important part of this work will also be the further development, testing and expansion of the existing testbed.

• Literature survey on modern methods of advanced MPC for s/c attitude control

• Theoretical analysis and adjustment of available algorithms for the relevant scenarios as well as derivation of algorithms extensions for application on a spacecraft. The algorithms will consider realistic disturbances and unknowns in orbit

• Implementation and validation of the algorithms using a simulation

• Further development and expansion of an existing ADCS test bed and a satellite prototype

• Implementation and validation of the algorithms using on the satellite prototype

• Documentation, conclusion, and presentation of the results

• Ongoing studies in aerospace, mechatronics, electrical engineering, mathematics or computer science and an interest and enthusiasm for research-oriented development in control and space

• You also have very good skills in control theory and optimisation

• You have a well-structured and results-oriented way of working

• Your programming skills in Python and/or Matlab are very good

• Your experience with ROS and C++ as well as design and construction of mechatronic prototypes is a plus

• Your knowledge in Machine Learning and your experience with implementation of neural networks is a plus

• Very good English or German skills are a must have.