Development of a verification and validation framework for autonomous soft-docking of spacecraft with uncertain dynamic properties

Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2016.

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: James, Jillian Melanie
Other Authors: David W. Miller and Alvar Saenz-Otero.
Format: Thesis
Language:eng
Published: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2016
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/105561
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author James, Jillian Melanie
author2 David W. Miller and Alvar Saenz-Otero.
author_facet David W. Miller and Alvar Saenz-Otero.
James, Jillian Melanie
author_sort James, Jillian Melanie
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description Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2016.
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spelling mit-1721.1/1055612019-04-11T06:42:01Z Development of a verification and validation framework for autonomous soft-docking of spacecraft with uncertain dynamic properties James, Jillian Melanie David W. Miller and Alvar Saenz-Otero. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Aeronautics and Astronautics. Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2016. This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections. Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis. Includes bibliographical references (pages 125-128). Although soft-docking in space has been demonstrated in the past, these missions have required detailed information about the target vehicle for success, and often relied on manual control during the final stages. Autonomous docking, however, shows the potential to greatly reduce operation costs while accomplishing complex scenarios. Unfortunately, unknown dynamics and changing parameters stress current attitude control systems for docking applications such as spacecraft servicing, debris capture, and space robotics operations. Adaptation for example may assist with vehicle control under such conditions, however requires careful validation. Since autonomous soft-docking has limited heritage when there are system uncertainties, risk reduction prior to operation becomes very important for mission success. In this thesis a verification and validation framework was developed for autonomous soft-docking of spacecraft under such uncertainties. The approach combines risk-management techniques, simulation, Monte Carlo analysis, diagnostic tools and experimentation in the micro-gravity environment of the International Space Station (ISS) to create a comprehensive risk-reduction strategy. Development methods are described to provide general guidelines for design of future soft-docking missions. Additionally, this thesis explores how such verification and validation methods may be used to assess how an adaptive controller can maintain attitude control authority when a spacecraft joins with an object with limited physical parameter information. The goal is to chart a path for controller validation via future spaceflight experimentation. The risk reduction framework and controller analyses and tests are based on working with the Synchronized Position Hold Engage Reorient Experimental Satellite (SPHERES) facility at MIT and on the ISS. by Jillian Melanie James. S.M. 2016-12-05T19:10:39Z 2016-12-05T19:10:39Z 2016 2016 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/105561 962731765 eng M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission. http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582 128 pages application/pdf Massachusetts Institute of Technology
spellingShingle Aeronautics and Astronautics.
James, Jillian Melanie
Development of a verification and validation framework for autonomous soft-docking of spacecraft with uncertain dynamic properties
title Development of a verification and validation framework for autonomous soft-docking of spacecraft with uncertain dynamic properties
title_full Development of a verification and validation framework for autonomous soft-docking of spacecraft with uncertain dynamic properties
title_fullStr Development of a verification and validation framework for autonomous soft-docking of spacecraft with uncertain dynamic properties
title_full_unstemmed Development of a verification and validation framework for autonomous soft-docking of spacecraft with uncertain dynamic properties
title_short Development of a verification and validation framework for autonomous soft-docking of spacecraft with uncertain dynamic properties
title_sort development of a verification and validation framework for autonomous soft docking of spacecraft with uncertain dynamic properties
topic Aeronautics and Astronautics.
url http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/105561
work_keys_str_mv AT jamesjillianmelanie developmentofaverificationandvalidationframeworkforautonomoussoftdockingofspacecraftwithuncertaindynamicproperties