Pathfinder for Autonomous Navigation: A Low-Cost Architecture for Autonomous CubeSat Rendezvous and Docking

View Video Presentation: https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2021-0424.vid A novel, low-cost architecture for autonomous CubeSat rendezvous and docking has been designed and implemented. The design drives down cost by leveraging spacecraft autonomy to eliminate costly ground infrastructure, reducing sensor requirements with a docking system robust to position and attitude errors, and minimizing Delta V for rendezvous at the expense of extending mission duration. These cost savings, along with modular and adaptable subsystems, enable a range of high-value CubeSat missions which require precision relative navigation or docking, and lay out a path toward mass production of highly capable CubeSat fleets. A technology demonstration mission using this architecture is expected to fly in 2021.