Sampling-based motion planning for safe and efficient spacecraft proximity operations
Abstract/Contents
- Abstract
- Autonomy has demonstrated success in many vehicle control problems, but has yet to show significant breakthroughs for spacecraft guidance during proximity operations. In part due to a costly verification and validation process as well as from limited access to formally-safe guidance algorithms, mission planners have instead had to rely on maneuver plans with straightforward, easily-verified trajectories and extensive human oversight. Unfortunately, this strategy often introduces propellant inefficiencies, adds significant labor overhead, and limits missions to Earth proximity where two-way communication times are short. This dissertation seeks to remedy these issues by developing a provably-safe and propellant-efficient sampling-based motion planning framework for fully-autonomous spacecraft proximity operations. The framework is designed for a wide range of hazardous guidance scenarios, including autonomous orbital rendezvous and inspection, pinpoint small-body descent, and on-orbit satellite servicing. Due to the dangers associated with operating near other objects, special care is taken to enable real-time guidance as well as ensure the availability of safe abort trajectories so that spacecraft can respond quickly and safely to control failures and sudden environmental changes. Through its generality, efficiency, and speed, the proposed approach offers the potential to enable entirely new capabilities for next-generation space missions, while also increasing the frequency, flexibility, and reliability of present-day operations in space.
Description
| Type of resource | text |
|---|---|
| Form | electronic; electronic resource; remote |
| Extent | 1 online resource. |
| Publication date | 2016 |
| Issuance | monographic |
| Language | English |
Creators/Contributors
| Associated with | Starek, Joseph Alexander |
|---|---|
| Associated with | Stanford University, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics |
| Primary advisor | Pavone, Marco, 1980- |
| Thesis advisor | Pavone, Marco, 1980- |
| Thesis advisor | Close, Sigrid, 1971- |
| Thesis advisor | Rock, Stephen |
| Advisor | Close, Sigrid, 1971- |
| Advisor | Rock, Stephen |
Subjects
| Genre | Theses |
|---|
Bibliographic information
| Statement of responsibility | Joseph Alexander Starek. |
|---|---|
| Note | Submitted to the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. |
| Thesis | Thesis (Ph.D.)--Stanford University, 2016. |
| Location | electronic resource |
Access conditions
- Copyright
- © 2016 by Joseph Alexander Starek
- License
- This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 Unported license (CC BY-NC).
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