Master Thesis (d/f/m): Model Predictive Control of Spacecraft Angular Momentum using the Earth Magnetic Field

Job description

Job Description:

In order to support the AOCS/GNC & Flight Dynamics department, Airbus Defence and Space is looking for a

Master student in the field of AOCS/GNC & Flight Dynamics (d/f/m), title of thesis Model Predictive Control of Spacecraft Total Angular Momentum using the Earth Magnetic Field

You are looking for a master's thesis and want to work on cutting edge Guidance/Navigation/Control (GNC) system design? Then apply now! We look forward to you supporting us in the AOCS/GNC & Flight Dynamics department as a master student (d/f/m)!

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Location: Friedrichshafen

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Start: As soon as possible

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Duration: 6 months

Department:

The AOCS, GNC & Flight Dynamics department is the center of competence in Airbus for attitude and orbit control systems (AOCS), Guidance/Navigation/Control (GNC), flight dynamics, and control engineering for all kinds of spacecraft. This includes, amongst others, modeling, design, synthesis, and verification & validation of the AOCS/GNC systems.

As a master' thesis student you will learn about attitude and orbit control of Agile Earth observation missions, the design and development of algorithms, S/C dynamics and modelling of Environment, being part of a project team designing challenging space missions.

Thesis Topic:

Agile missions require well controlled total angular momentum emerging from external torques such as aerodynamic drag or gravity gradient. Current solutions rely on an instantaneous reduction of the total angular momentum vector using magnetic torquers.

Due to the nature of magnetic desaturation with magnetic coils and the Earth magnetic field, the desaturation happens in the plane perpendicular to Earth’s magnetic field lines only. A model predictive approach could take the magnetic field lines of future orbit positions into account in order to find an optimized control command to minimize the magnitude of the total angular momentum error.

The goal of the thesis is to design and synthesize an algorithm for on-board usage, and to analyze its performance with respect to baseline solutions in various scenarios.

Your location

At the Airbus site in Friedrichshafen you will be working on innovation where others spend their holidays. Enjoy panoramic views of Lake Constance while having lunch in our canteen. And after work, join one of our many corporate sports groups to go running, sailing or skiing.

Your benefits

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International environment with the opportunity to network globally.

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Work with modern/diversified technologies.

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At Airbus, we see you as a valuable team member and you are not hired to brew coffee, instead you are in close contact with the interfaces and are part of our weekly team meetings.

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Opportunity to participate in the Generation Airbus Community to expand your own network.

Your tasks and responsibilities

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Understanding of the sources and dynamical behaviour of spacecraft total angular momentum and its residuum after magnetic desaturation 

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Familiarization with Model Predictive Control methods

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Derivation or usage of suitable mathematical prediction models that are usable in an on-board setting

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Synthetisation of a MPC controller and providing a suitable tuning strategy

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Implementation of the control algorithm and application to given scenarios

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Evaluation and documentation of work

 Desired skills and qualifications

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Enrolled full time master student (d/f/m) as Aerospace Engineering, Cybernetics or similar field of study

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Very good knowledge of MATLAB / Simulink

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Very good knowledge of dynamics and control

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English fluent

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German would be an asset

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You are a good team player, have excellent communication skills, and are able to work independently.

Please upload the following documents: cover letter, CV, relevant transcripts, enrolment certificate. 

Not a 100% match? No worries! Airbus supports your personal growth.

Take your career to a new level and apply online now!

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company:
Airbus Defence and Space GmbH

Employment Type:
Final-year Thesis

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Experience Level:
Student

Job Family:
Vehicle Mission & Control

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