A novel partial differential equation observer is proposed to be used in boundary attitude and vibration control of flexible satellites. Solar panels’ vibrations and attitude dynamics form a coupled partial differential equation–ordinary differential equation system which is controlled directly without discretization. Few feedback signals from boundaries are required which are estimated via a partial differential equation observer. Consequently, just satellite attitude and angular velocity should be measured and still the control system benefits information from continuous part vibrations. The closed-loop system is proved to be asymptotically stable. Simulations with a finite element technique illustrate good performance of this observer-based boundary controller.

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