Development of A 3D Proximity-Operation Test System for On-Orbit Servicing a Non-Cooperative Object

Objectives

• Design and construct a unique 3D proximity-operation test system for flying around, inspecting, or servicing a non-cooperative object in orbit.
• Investigate the fidelity and performance of the test system.

Technology

• Unique method of rendering accurate 3D tumbling (3-axis rotation while keeping the mass center at rest).
• Hardware-in-the-loop (real-time) dynamic simulation of in a fully controlled environment.
• Method to test multi-agent dynamic behavior for team co-operations.
• Scalable in terms of team size and the 3D space.

Benefits

• Allows to physically test 3D proximity motion behavior which are difficult to do on other types of ground-based test facilities.
• Allows to visualize and test physical group behavior of a team of servicing vehicles in orbit.
• Allows to test real sensors and other hardware components in an integrated system.
• Provides a safe and fully controlled testing environment.

Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation-based Satellite 3D Tumbling Testbed