Research Summaries

Back Dynamic Reachability Analysis and Guidance/Control Algorithms for Autonomous, Safe Proximity Maneuvering and Final Approach to a Tumbling Object

Fiscal Year 2017
Division Graduate School of Engineering & Applied Science
Department Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Investigator(s) Romano, Marcello
Sponsor Department of Defense Space (DoD)
Summary The proposed research effort will investigate the dynamics, reachability, and guidance/control, for a spacecraft conducting rendezvous and proximity operations about a tumbling object. The findings from this investigation are expected to contribute in the areas of Revolutionary Concepts and Technology, and Next Generation Analysis. The resulting algorithms will serve as an enabler for autonomy, agility, and resiliency of future spacecraft systems, by providing the capability to react in a dynamic environment.
The specific objectives of the proposed effort are as follows:
1. Formulate combined/coupled translational and rotational dynamics for a spacecraft maneuvering in proximity to a tumbling object.
2. Analyze reachability of the dynamic system developed in Objective 1.
3. Develop guidance algorithms for safe proximity maneuvering around a tumbling object, with a focus on constraint-handling (safety), autonomy, and robustness.
4. Validate algorithms and compare performance in numerical simulation.
5. Validate on-board implementation through experimental campaign.
In order to successfully meet the objectives, a crawl-walk-run approach will be used in order to tackle the highly complex problem posed in this proposal. Preliminary validation of the developed algorithms will be achieved through both simulation and experimental testing. While Dr. Romano at NPS will be focusing on the guidance and control aspect, the navigation aspect of this problem will be investigated by Dr. Cobb at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), through a project proposed in parallel (see proposal titled “Optimization and Computer Vision for Proximity Operations”). Collaboration between the two DoD academic institutions will be beneficial to both parties, as well as to the sponsor.
Keywords
Publications 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
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