  Symmetry properties of the evolution equation and the state to be controlled
are shown to determine the basic features of the linear control of unstable
orbits. In particular, the selection of control parameters and their minimal
number are determined by the irreducible representations of the symmetry group
of the linearization about the orbit to be controlled. We use the general
results to demonstrate the effect of symmetry on the control of two sample
physical systems: a coupled map lattice and a particle in a symmetric
potential.
