A paper describes algorithms for guidance and control (G&C) of a spacecraft maneuvering near a planet, moon, asteroid, comet, or other small astronomical body. The algorithms were developed following a model- predictive-control approach along with a convexification of the governing dynamical equations, control constraints, and trajectory and state constraints. The open-loop guidance problem is solved in advance or in real time by use of the pseudo-waypoint generation (PWG) method, which is a blend of classical waypoint and state-of-theart, real-time trajectory-generation methods. The PWG method includes satisfaction of required thruster silent times during maneuvers. Feedback control is implemented to track PWG trajectories in a manner that guarantees the resolvability of the open-loop-control problem, enabling updating of G&C in a provably robust, model-predictive manner. Thruster firing times and models of the gravitational field of the body are incorporated into discretized versions of the dynamical equations that are solved as part of an optimal-control problem to minimize consumption of fuel or energy. The optimal- control problem is cast as a linear matrix inequality (specifically a secondorder cone program), then solved through semi-definite-programming techniques in a computationally efficient manner that guarantees convergence and satisfaction of constraints.

This work was done by Ahmet Açikmefle and John M. Carson III of Caltech for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For more information, download the Technical Support Package (free white paper) at www.techbriefs.com/tsp under the Mechanics/Machinery category.

The software used in this innovation is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Karina Edmonds of the California Institute of Technology at (626) 395-2322. Refer to NPO-42753.

This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).

Pseudo-Waypoint Guidance for Proximity Spacecraft Maneuvers (reference NPO-42753) is currently available for download from the TSP library.

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