Analysis of Automated Rendezvous and Docking Operations

摘要

This paper describes a research activity oriented to the development of a comprehensive simulator for terminal phase rendezvous maneuvers. The simulator is designed to reproduce space flight operations along Low Earth Orbits for chaser-target systems. The primary purpose of the simulation tool is the preliminary evaluation of the performances of the propulsion and control systems in terms of accuracy. The sizing, the assessment of the layout for the attitude control system and the tuning of the gain loops (control authority) is an additional concern. Results are presented for realistic test conditions in terms of vehicle attitudes and trajectory tracking.