Trajectory planning for complex shaped spacecraft proximity based on critical safety curve and disturbed fluid

Abstract

Recent research on on-orbit service rarely considers the complex shapes of servicing spacecraft (chaser) and the target simultaneously, which could cause collision problems in ultra-close-range proximity. This paper presents a novel trajectory planning method via critical safety curve (TPCSC). The core of the framework is the construction of collision avoidance constraints called critical safety curve (CSC) using geometrized mathematical methods. CSC has good mathematical properties and innovatively combines the complex shape and relative attitude constraints of two spacecraft. Subsequently, TPCSC proposes an improved disturbed fluid method based on CSC that can handle non-convex constraints to generate smooth approach trajectories. Finally, the framework can achieve ultra-close-range proximity between spacecraft with complex shapes under complex non-convex constraints. The simulation results indicate that the planning of TPCSC is rapid, and the formed trajectory is safe, smooth, and easy to track.