We propose an optimal control method for simultaneous slewing and vibration
control of flexible spacecraft. Considering dynamics on different time scales,
the optimal control problem is discretized on micro and macro time grids using
a multirate variational approach. The description of the system and the
necessary optimality conditions are derived through the discrete
Lagrange-d'Alembert principle. The discrete problem retains the conservation
properties of the continuous model and achieves high fidelity simulation at a
reduced computational cost. Simulation results for a single-axis rotational
maneuver demonstrate vibration suppression and achieve the same accuracy as the
single rate method at reduced computational cost.Comment: This paper was presented at the 2020 AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics
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