Motion Planning Of Space Robot Research Articles

Normal form approach in the motion planning of space robots: a case study

We examine applicability of normal forms of non-holonomic robotic systems to the problem of motion planning. A case study is analyzed of a planar, free-floating space robot consisting of a mobile base equipped with an on-board manipulator. It is assumed that during the robot’s motion its conserved angular momentum is zero. The motion planning problem is first solved at velocity level, and then torques at the joints are found as a solution of an inverse dynamics problem. A novelty of this paper lies in using the chained normal form of the robot’s dynamics and corresponding feedback transformations for motion planning at the velocity level. Two basic cases are studied, depending on the position of mounting point of the on-board manipulator. Comprehensive computational results are presented, and compared with the results provided by the Endogenous Configuration Space Approach. Advantages and limitations of applying normal forms for robot motion planning are discussed.

Dynamic/control interactions between flexible orbiting space-robot during grasping, docking and post-docking manoeuvres

Robotic systems are expected to play an increasingly important role in future space activities, such as repairing, upgrading, refuelling, and re-orbiting spacecraft. These technologies could potentially extend the life of satellites, enhance the capability of space systems, reduce the operation costs, and clean up the increasing space debris. Recent proposals for missions involving the use of space manipulators and/or automated transfer vehicles are presented as a solution for a lot of problems, which now affect the procedures and the performance of the in-orbit space systems. Other projects involving space manipulators have been developed by DARPA aiming to demonstrate several satellite servicing operations and technologies including rendez-vous, proximity operations and station-keeping, capture, docking, fluid transfer (specifically, “hydrazine”), and Orbit Replaceable Unit (ORU) transfer. Of course the dynamic coupling between the manipulator and its base mounting flexible solar arrays is very difficult to model. Furthermore, the motion planning of space robots is usually much more complicated than the motion planning of fixed-base manipulators. In this paper first of all the authors present a mixed NE/EL formulation suitable for synthesizing optimal control strategies during the deploying manoeuvres of robotic arms mounted on flexible orbiting platform (i.e. the chaser). Then two new control strategies able to compensate the flexibility excitations of the chaser satellite solar panels during the capturing of a flexible target spacecraft with the use of two robotic arms are presented and applied to a grasping manoeuvre. The mission is here divided into three main phases: the approaching, the docking and the post-grasping phase. Several numerical examples will complete the work.

A dynamic singularity-based design of a free-flying planar manipulator

A new methodology for dynamic design of a planar free-flying manipulator with the objective of simplifying the non-holonomic motion planning problem is proposed. As has been proposed in the past, the dynamic singularity point can be effectively used for non-holonomic motion planning of space robots. The proposed design imparts special properties to the dynamic singularity point, which are useful for the motion planning problem. Making use of the dynamic singularity of the manipulator, the motion planning problem can then be solved on-line. Example of a two-link planar manipulator mounted on a satellite base is used to present the proposed theory.

Nonholonomic Motion Planning of Space Robots with Prismatic Joint for Obstacle Avoidance via Hierarchical Lyapunov Methods

基于分级Lyapunov方法,讨论了载体姿态与位置均不受控制的滑移铰空间机器人末端运动轨迹的避障碍运动学规划问题.首先以系统动量矩守恒关系及运动Jacobi关系为基础,建立了控制设计所需的系统状态方程及控制输出方程.此后,在Lyapunov函数的选取上采取分两级采取的方式,即初级Lyapunov函数确保滑移铰空间机器人的末端抓手从初始位置运动到指定的终点位置,次级Lyapunov函数则确保末端抓手避开工作空间中的障碍区域;两级合成则使空间机器人的末端抓手既实现了指定的位置移动又避开了障碍区域.系统数值仿真,证明了方法的有效性.