Control of Statically Unstable Systems with Actuator Nonlinearities

Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)

Description

Using an inverted pendulum as a simplified surrogate for a statically unstable vehicle to develop control laws more tolerant to nonlinearities in the actuation, and study the failure modes of these control laws.

Benefits

Reduces the sensitivity to actuator nonlinearities which can improve vehicle performance, reduce the required maintenance cycles, or enable new actuator types.

Details

Technology area	Flight Vehicle Systems > Flight Mechanics > Flight Performance and Analysis
Program	Center Innovation Fund: AFRC CIF (AFRC CIF)
Lead organization	Armstrong Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA
Start date	2021-10-01
End date	2022-09-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Jeffrey Ouellette — jeffrey.a.ouellette@nasa.gov

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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