Research/ ORBITAL ROBOTICS
Chance-Constrained, Drift-Safe Guidance for Spacecraft Rendezvous
Andrew W. Berning Jr., Ethan R. Burnett, and Stefan Bieniawski
Guidance, Dynamics & ControlarXiv: eess.SY · Rendezvous, Proximity Ops & DockingOpenAlex keyword: spacecraft rendezvous · Design, Mechanisms & HardwareOpenAlex keyword: actuator uncertainty
arXiveess.SY · cs.SYOpenAlexSpacecraft Dynamics and Control · Space Satellite Systems and Control · Guidance and Control Systems
A robust drift-safe rendezvous trajectory optimization tool is developed in this work, with applications to orbital rendezvous and proximity operations. The method is based on direct collocation and utilizes a sequential convex programming framework, and is extended from previous work to include passive safety constraints. The tool is then paired with a dispersion analysis framework to allow trajectories to be optimized subject to plant, navigation, and actuator uncertainties. The timing, direction, and magnitude of orbital maneuvers are optimized subject to the expected propellant usage, for a given navigation system performance. Representative trajectories are presented for the LEO flight regime, but the approach can also be applied to GEO and NRHO with minimal modification.
Comments: AAS Rocky Mountain Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference, 2023