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This work was supported by the FP7 under Project No. FP7-284, 427.

Analysis of institutional authors

Calvo, DanielAuthorAviles, TaisirAuthorLapuerta, VictoriaCorresponding AuthorLaveron-Siniavilla, AnaAuthor

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Fuzzy attitude control for a nanosatellite in low Earth orbit

Publicated to:Expert Systems With Applications. 58 102-118 - 2016-10-01 58(), DOI: 10.1016/j.eswa.2016.04.004

Authors: Calvo, Daniel; Aviles, Taisir; Lapuerta, Victoria; Laveron-Siniavilla, Ana

Affiliations

Univ Politecn Madrid, Edificio E-USOC,Campus Montegancedo,M40 Km36-38, Madrid 28223, Spain - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid, ETSIAE, Plaza Cardenal Cisneros 3, E-28040 Madrid, Spain - Author

Abstract

In order to develop and introduce intelligent systems in the space field, an adaptive fuzzy logic controller is designed for a nanosatellite. Attitude determination and control subsystem (ADCS) and its performance and efficiency are compared with a traditional proportional integrative derivative (PID) controller. Fuzzy controllers have already been studied for satellite attitude control; however their performance has not been compared with the classical PID controllers typically being implemented on board spacecrafts currently. Both controllers have been designed and implemented in order to be tested on board a nanosatellite (QBITO) in a nearby mission (QB50), a constellation of 50 nanosatellites. Due to the requirements imposed by the mission, the orbit, and the significant limitations in the power available in these small spacecrafts, an efficient ADCS is required in order to fulfill the mission objectives. The comparison between the classical PID and the fuzzy controllers shows that the fuzzy controller is much more efficient in single maneuver (up to 65% less power required), achieving better precision in general than the PID. This shows that the use of this type of intelligent control systems is a great advantage over conventional control systems currently being used in satellite attitude control, and open new possibilities of application of intelligent controllers in the field of space technologies. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Control-systemsDesignFuzzy logicPidSatelliteSatellite attitude

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Expert Systems With Applications due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2016, it was in position 3/83, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Operations Research & Management Science.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from the Field Citation Ratio (FCR) of the Dimensions source, it yields a value of: 4.66, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: Dimensions Jul 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-07-01, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 24
  • Scopus: 32

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-07-01:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 41 (PlumX).

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (CALVO AGUILAR, DANIEL) and Last Author (LAVERON SIMAVILLA, ANA).

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been LAPUERTA GONZALEZ, MARIA VICTORIA.