On-Orbit Identification of Inertia Properties of Spacecraft using Robotics Technology

摘要

This technical report describes the results of a 6-month research project conducted by Dr. Ou Ma and one of his graduate students at the New Mexico State University under the AFOSR grant number FA9550-06-1-0284 starting in May 2006. In the project, a methodology of on-orbit identification of spacecraft inertia properties (i.e., the mass, the location of the mass center, and the inertia tensor) using a robotic arm was investigated. The extension of the method to using a solar array (instead of a robot) was also preliminarily investigated. The investigation was done in theory and by simulation only because of the time and funding limitations. The ultimate goal of this research is to enhance the control and operation of spacecraft for more challenging autonomous on-orbit service missions in the future.