Extensive numerical simulation of a magnetically actuated satellite rotation around the Sun direction with Sun sensors data only

Numerical simulation of different motion scenarios of a magnetically actuated satellite stabilizing towards the Sun is performed. The satellite is equipped with Sun sensors as the only attitude information source. Control algorithms are derived to achieve unambiguous rotating stabilization in the Sun direction despite the inability of this rotation identification with Sun sensors. Extensive numerical simulation of the satellite motion with different orbit configurations and inertia distribution justifies algorithm applicability and reveals its performance characteristics.