Research Summaries

Back Analysis, Simulation and Lab Experimentation of Guidance and Control of a Spacecraft with Robotic Manipulators for Physical Interaction with a Resident Space Object

Fiscal Year 2015
Division Graduate School of Engineering & Applied Science
Department Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Investigator(s) Romano, Marcello
Sponsor Department of Defense Space (DoD)
Summary We will investigate the Dynamics, Guidance and Control of a spacecraft equipped with one or multiple robotic manipulators for the physical interaction with a Resident Space Object. An innovative space asset of this kind may enable several critical missions including, for instance, servicing, debris removal and defensive counter-measures in a mother-daughter spacecraft scenario, and on-orbit assembly of larger system starting from modular un its. Two main possible approaches for the Guidance and Control of such a system will be studied: 1) an autonomous control approach based on optimal control and non-linear control theories, 2) a hybrid autonomous/tele-operation approach, which may be preferable, in particular, for low-earth-orbit operations. The proposed research, which is the continuation of a previously funded Phase II effort, will involve an original combination of analytical-numerical research together with experimental testing on a floating spacecraft simulator test bed at NPS. In particular, during the proposed phase III effort the integration of a unique custom designed space manipulator simulator will be concluded. Furthermore, comparative experimental tests and simulation tests will be conducted regarding dynamic modeling, and guidance and control of a spacecraft plus manipulator system.
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Data Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal