A Hybrid Game Strategy for the Pursuit of Out-of-Control Spacecraft under Incomplete-Information

Abstract

This paper investigates the pursuit problem of out-of-control spacecraft under incomplete-information, and provides new ideas for the disposal of dangerous spacecraft with obstacle avoidance capability. Throughout the pursuit process, the maneuver strategy of the out-of-control spacecraft is unknown, and its possibly unconventional and irregular maneuvers may endanger the safe operation of any other spacecraft on orbit. Based on the differential game theory, complete information game strategy pairs are derived. Then, considering that the control information of the target is unavailable to the pursuer, the target’s maneuver is regarded as the disturbance item. The incomplete information game strategy is derived from the unilateral optimal cost function. Furthermore, the disturbance estimator is designed to identify the missing information of the target. The optimal hybrid game strategy is proposed as an approach to compensate the target maneuver strategy. Simulation study has been conducted and the results have validated that the missing information can be effectively estimated using the estimator. The designed hybrid game strategy can achieve rapid approach, while saving fuel consumption for on-orbit service.