Abstract
This paper discusses the control problems of deployment and retrieval of a tethered satellite system. First, a linear tangent model of the tethered satellite system which is independent of its operating point is derived by using a pseudolinearization technique. Then, a nonlinear control law is designed based on the linear tangent model and a nonlinear change of state coordinates. The present feedback control law is simulated numerically, and the results show excellent controlled response of the tethered subsatellite system.
