Acquisition, tracking and pointing concept solutions for an Independent Complementary Space Experiment (ICSE)

The major objective of the Independent Complementary Space Experiment (ICSE) is to eject, acquire, track, and damage a test object by laser irradiation on orbit. This objective requires the transport of the experiment and test objects to orbit, the ejection of the test objects from the experiment spacecraft, and the acquisition, tracking, and pointing of the experiment with a sufficient accuracy and stability to allow the laser sufficient time to accomplish test object damage and/or destruction. This paper discusses the development, application and results of applying a unique approach of ejecting the test object in a direction normal to the spacecraft orbital plane as opposed to the traditional approach of ejecting within the spacecraft orbital plane. The target acquisition and tracking control, and the laser beam control optics were also transversely mounted to maximize control efficiency. The orbital dynamics of the relative motion between the space craft and the test object will be illustrated, and flexible body effects will be assessed.