Autonomous close-proximity operations in space: The PRoBa-3 rendezvous experiment (P3RVX)

Paulo Rosa*, Pedro Freire Silva, Baltazar Parreira, Miguel Hagenfeldt, Andrea Fabrizi, Antonio Pagano, Antonio Russo, Samuele Salvi, Murray Kerr, Silvana Radu, Anthonius Daoud-Moraru, Constantin Alexandru Pandele, Adrian Mihail Stoica, Sergiu Stefan Mihai, David A. K. Pedersen, John Leif Jørgensen, Sergio Tiraplegui Riveras, Rafael Contreras, Alexander Cropp, Jonathan Grzymisch

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingArticle in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

    Abstract

    Proba-3 is a Formation Flying (FF) technology demonstration mission from ESA. The main mission, covers the design, development, and in-fight operation of two small satellites, for the full-scale test and validation of FF mission architectures and techniques. Proba-3 has just finished the design phase and it is now starting the manufacturing and verification phase D aiming at launch before beginning of the next decade. The Proba-3 mission also offers a unique opportunity to test other technologies, including to perform Relative Dynamics Experiments (RDE). The Proba-3 RendezVous eXperiment (P3RVX) takes advantage of this opportunity to exploit the suitability of Proba-3 for the maturation of RV technology, in particular with non-cooperative targets, with two satellites, in a highly elliptical orbit (perigee and apogee height of 600 and 60,530 km, respectively), using optical Navigation. The P3RVX consortium is led by DEIMOS and includes the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and University Politehnica of Bucharest/Institute of Space Sciences (UPB/ISS). This paper provides an overview of the P3RVX, which aims to perform in-orbit demonstrations of the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) subsystem (including the Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) functions), the operations, the autonomy approach, and the Verification and Validation (VV), for missions in highly-elliptical orbits with fast and time-varying dynamics. This includes, in addition, the in-flight testing of DTU's Vision Based System (VBS) software for non-cooperative scenarios. Typical close-proximity operations are considered, including non-cooperative rendezvous and forced-motion (inspection, approach/retreat, and station-keeping) maneuvers during perigee, with the latter being performed both in eclipse and in Sun-illuminated conditions. These high-level mission requirements are translated into the design of trajectories satisfying a number of constraints. In-house-developed tools are adopted to solve this problem, ensuring that the trajectories are passively safe - whenever possible - in case of an inhibiting failure. Moreover, trajectory design is required to consider the limitations of actuators, as well as sensors. The outcomes of P3RVX are aligned with ESA technology lines and, as such, are expected to have a significant impact on the community. In particular, in-orbit demonstration of autonomous GNC for elliptical orbits (in both fast and slow dynamic regions) and autonomous non-cooperative close-proximity GNC using a camera; provide technology developments generally applicable to future programs; and a significant maturation of these technologies, needed to support short- and medium-term Clean Space and ADR lines, as well as the development of Space Service Vehicles (SSVs).
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of the 69th International Astronautical Congress: Involving Everyone
    Number of pages13
    Volume2018
    PublisherInternational Astronautical Federation
    Publication date2018
    Article numberIAC-18-C1.5.10
    ISBN (Electronic)9781510881655
    Publication statusPublished - 2018
    Event69th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2018) - Bremen, Germany
    Duration: 1 Oct 20185 Oct 2018

    Conference

    Conference69th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2018)
    Country/TerritoryGermany
    CityBremen
    Period01/10/201805/10/2018
    SeriesProceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC
    ISSN0074-1795

    Keywords

    • GNC
    • Proba-3
    • Rendezvous
    • Vision-based systems

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