Chance-Constrained, Drift-Safe Guidance for Spacecraft Rendezvous

TL;DR

This paper introduces a robust optimization tool for spacecraft rendezvous that ensures safety and efficiency under uncertainties, applicable across various orbital regimes.

Contribution

It extends previous trajectory optimization methods by incorporating passive safety constraints and uncertainty handling using a sequential convex programming framework.

Findings

Successfully optimized rendezvous trajectories in LEO

Demonstrated applicability to GEO and NRHO orbits

Achieved efficient propellant usage under uncertainties

Abstract

A robust drift-safe rendezvous trajectory optimization tool is developed in this work, with applications to orbital rendezvous and proximity operations. The method is based on direct collocation and utilizes a sequential convex programming framework, and is extended from previous work to include passive safety constraints. The tool is then paired with a dispersion analysis framework to allow trajectories to be optimized subject to plant, navigation, and actuator uncertainties. The timing, direction, and magnitude of orbital maneuvers are optimized subject to the expected propellant usage, for a given navigation system performance. Representative trajectories are presented for the LEO flight regime, but the approach can also be applied to GEO and NRHO with minimal modification.