This paper investigates the attitude tracking and disturbance rejection problem of rigid spacecraft. Using a new matrix product, i.e., the semitensor product of matrices, the parameter uncertainties in the inertia matrix is isolated. Both the parameter uncertainties and the external disturbance are handled by robust adaptive control method. By combining the semitensor product of matrices, backstepping control methodology, and adaptive control technique, a new adaptive control law is designed. Simulation result is also presented to demonstrate the proposed design method.
