Title:
CubeSat Autonomous Rendevous Simulation
CubeSat Autonomous Rendevous Simulation
Author(s)
Fear, Andrew J.
Lightsey, E. Glenn
Lightsey, E. Glenn
Advisor(s)
Editor(s)
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Abstract
An autonomous mission manager is being developed for use on small satellites, including
CubeSats, in proximity operations applications where one satellite is near another cooperating
spacecraft. The mission manager performs mission event sequencing/resequencing
and coordination between the autonomous rendezvous and docking algorithm and the maneuvering
satellite while also providing guidance, navigation, and control automation, contingency
diagnosis and response, and abort condition determination and execution. In the
case of small satellites, limited sensing, actuation, and computing resources require special
consideration when creating a mission manager for these vehicles. A detailed simulation
tool was created that allows existing guidance, navigation, and control laws to be incorporated
into an overall mission manager structure. A representative approach trajectory
for a spacecraft from 1 km to 1 m to a cooperating vehicle is used to demonstrate performance.
Spacecraft sensor and actuator hardware is simulated so that imperfect knowledge
and control may exercise the mission manager algorithms. The system is designed to run
in real-time on a standard low power microprocessor that could be used on a CubeSat or
similar small satellite.
Sponsor
Date Issued
2015-01
Extent
Resource Type
Text
Resource Subtype
Paper
Rights Statement
Unless otherwise noted, all materials are protected under U.S. Copyright Law and all rights are reserved