Autonomous rendezvous and docking
Abstract
An autonomous video rendezvous guidance system (VRGS) designed for short-range (300-m) docking operations with multiple passive target vehicles is described. The VRGS shares hardware with the primary guidance system, adding only a TV camera system, a small transmitter, and a fast video preprocessor. The operating principle is based on a three-flashing-light docking system synchronized to the shutter of the TV camera and analyzed by an analog centroid computer. The Kalman filter, inertial measurement unit, and mathematical dynamics model are discussed: they propagate both an estimate of the state of the two spacecraft and a covariance matrix describing its accuracy. Data from additional sources such as global positioning system or star tracker can be integrated. A goal-setting-logic module is incorporated which takes into account such factors as fuel efficiency, safety, and target tumbling. The results of successful computer-simulation testing of the VRGS are presented; physical simulations are being undertaken.
- Publication:
-
IN: American Control Conference
- Pub Date:
- 1982
- Bibcode:
- 1982acc.....2..460T
- Keywords:
-
- Numerical Control;
- Space Rendezvous;
- Spacecraft Docking;
- Spacecraft Guidance;
- Systems Engineering;
- Video Equipment;
- Analog Computers;
- Centroids;
- Computerized Simulation;
- Kalman Filters;
- Mathematical Models;
- Performance Tests;
- Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command and Tracking