This paper proposed a fuzzy logic system approximation-based sliding mode control approach via backstepping technique (FLS-SSMC) to address the problem of positioning control for stratospheric satellites subject to dynamics uncertainty and input constraints. First, the positioning problem for stratospheric satellite is formulated. Second, the control design using sliding mode control via backstepping technique is demonstrated. Under this framework, an approximator based on fuzzy logic system (FLS) is designed to estimate the uncertain dynamics of the stratospheric satellite, and an adaptive law is designed to update the weight of the FLS. Moreover, boundness of all the signals of the closed-loop system is proven by using Lyapunov stability theorem. Finally, Compared experiment simulations of positioning control with and without input constraints are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the designed controller. (C) 2019 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.