Application of model predictive control for the autonomous rendezvous and docking of small satellites
Author(s)
Fear, Andrew
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Abstract
Autonomous rendezvous and docking (AR&D) maneuvers are a key enabling technology for many types of space missions. For example, in the realm of small satellites it would facilitate on-orbit construction of larger assemblies. The volume and mass limit constraints are a crucial challenge imposed by the form factor. First, the presented work details a three-phase model predictive control (MPC) algorithm. MPC provides robustness to uncertainties in the dynamics and utilizes optimal control techniques that can handle state and control constraints directly. The three phases highlight changing constraint conditions within the underlying optimal control problem.
Second, the work provides a detailed analysis of the implemented algorithm to changing parameters and tests the overall robustness to actuation uncertainties. A simulation specific to the AR&D of small satellites was created to assess the MPC algorithm. Rendezvous to a non-maneuvering target has been considered for both non-rotating and constant tumbling cases.
Finally, hardware emulation is used to verify that the proposed guidance algorithm is capable of running onboard a flight computer analog. The computational performance is benchmarked for a couple of parameters to investigate the effect on performance.
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Date
2023-04-26
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Text
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Dissertation