Abstract: An analytical finite time sliding mode controller is proposed for spacecraft attitude reorientation control under pointing constraints, which has the faster convergence compared with the existing asymptotic convergence control algorithms. Firstly, the navigation potential function is established based on the attitude maneuver target and the attitude pointing constraints. For further, the potential function and its gradient information are introduced on the sliding mode surface such that the attitude pointing constraints are satisfied during spacecraft attitude maneuver. To ensure the feasibility of attitude pointing constraints outside sliding mode surface rigorously, a new Lyapunov function is established by combining the sliding mode function and the artificial potential function. Then, based on the designed Lyapunov function and the finite time convergence theorem, a controller is designed to achieve finite time spacecraft attitude reorientation control under attitude pointing constraints. Finally, numerical simulation shows that the proposed controller can achieve fast attitude convergence and ensure the feasibility of the spacecraft attitude pointing constraints.

Key words: attitude control, attitude pointing constraints, sliding mode control, finite time convergence