Abstract
This paper presents the design of the GNC system of a ground test-bed for spacecraft rendezvous and docking experiments. The test-bed is developed within the STEPS project (Systems and Technologies for Space Exploration). The facility consists of a flat floor and two scaled vehicles, one active chaser and one “semi-active” target. Rendezvous and docking maneuvers are performed floating on the plane with pierced plates as lifting systems. The system is designed to work both with inertial and non-inertial reference frame, receiving signals from navigation sensors as: accelerometers, gyroscopes, laser meter, radio finder and video camera, and combining them with a digital filter. A Proportional-Integrative-Derivative control law and Pulse Width Modulators are used to command the cold gas thrusters of the chaser, and to follow an assigned trajectory with its specified velocity profile. The design and development of the guidance, navigation and control system and its architecture—including the software algorithms—are detailed in the paper, presenting a performance analysis based on a simulated environment. A complete description of the integrated subsystems is also presented.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
