This paper proposes a control law that stabilizes a momentum transfer
maneuver using multiwheels, which provides an analytical proof via Lya
punov's direct method. Since an open loop transfer sometimes causes di
vergent and targe nutation motion, especially when a minor to major ax
is transfer is attempted, the closed-loop scheme is discussed here, Th
is paper also points out equilibrium ''singular states'' which may occ
ur not only in open loop but also in a closed-loop momentum transfer,
from which no evasive path can be found. This paper provides sufficien
t conditions by which both divergent behavior and singular states can
be circumvented by appropriately selecting the control law proposed he
re or by use of inertia properties of the spacecraft. This may be the
most distinct feature of a closed-loop transfer utilizing multiwheels
vs conventional open-loop schemes. This paper shows that neither the o
pen-loop method nor closed-loop control with a single wheel system avo
ids these undesirable phenomena. The proposed control scheme with four
wheels is numerically demonstrated to improve significantly the trans
fer behavior and exclude any singular state occurrence.