Space Integrated Controls Experiment (SPICE) Program.

Abstract

Abstract : The objective of the SPICE program was to demonstmte improvement in precision pointing, tracking, and retargeting by integration of active isolation, active and passive structural control, advanced materials, active optics, and adaptive control. Available flinding allowed only the implementation of the active isolation and active structural control. A linear, ftill-size, and well-characterized precision test-bed was developed to represent a space-based laser beam director structure. Key SPICE subsystem developments included: (1) an optical sensing system to calculate the optical line-of-sight; (2) proof mass actuators of unprecedented stroke and force capability to deliver the control forces to the structure; (3) a finite element model that accurately modeled the 25 flexable structural modes; and (4) a robust hybrid high-authority/low- authority global control system A series of tests culminated with the attainment of repeatable and robust attenuation of the optical line-of-sight jitter by 77:1 (six independent disturbances) and 128:1 (three independent disturbances) in the band 5 to 5OO% with little spillover into unregulated degrees of freedom. Methods by which system identification and control system design and implementation can be partially automated were investigated in the latter stages of the program. (KAR) P. 3