Abstract: The quaternion feedback control method can be used to the maneuver controlling of flexible satellites, but the attitude ability is beyond satisfactory level. Situation becomes worse, especially when the coupling between rigid body and flexible body is large. Once the vibration of flexible modes is stimulated, it is a hard task to attenuate the vibration. In this paper, a characteristic model –based golden section method is designed to control the maneuver. This method stimulates the vibration of flexible modes much less during the maneuver. Moreover, Simulation results of this control method show a better accuracy than the one of quaternion feedback method.

Key words: fast attitude maneuver, characteristic model, golden section