Hybrid Guardian Map-based adaptive control of spacecraft formation flying on highly elliptical orbits in the restricted three-body problem

Abstract

In this paper, a single parameter Guardian Map-based simple adaptive guidance and control architecture for spacecraft formation flying is developed. When compared with traditional vehicles, the dynamics of spacecraft features larger non-linearities, tighter coupling and higher uncertainty as the eccentricity of an orbit increases. In addition, most formation flying applications involve following bounded relative trajectories that are only applicable to circular orbits and hence becomes an unnatural trajectory when used on eccentric orbits, resulting in unnecessary fuel consumption. Making use of a combination of nonlinear Simple Adaptive Control and Guardian Map theories, a novel autonomous adaptive guidance and control system is developed such that the desired closed-loop stability of the system and asymptotic convergence is guaranteed throughout the orbit while tracking fuel-efficient natural trajectories that are applicable to eccentric orbits. Simulation results show various new types and sizes of bounded natural relative orbits to illustrate the increased performance and robustness of the proposed adaptive controller compared to a conventional non-adaptive linear quadratic regulator found in literature.