Collision and evaporation avoidance for spacecraft formation

Radice, G. and MacDonald, M. (2008) Collision and evaporation avoidance for spacecraft formation. In: 59th International Astronautical Congress, Glasgow, UK, 27 Sep - 1 Oct 2008,

Abstract

<p>Formation flying is an extremely promising approach to space operations with the potential to enable new types of missions and providing substantial increase in the performance of future space science and Earth observation applications. To successfully validate formation flying however requires the development of specific technologies and methodologies, which are beyond current state-of-the art in a wide range of diverse fields such as metrology and spacecraft guidance, navigation and control. A number of missions are currently under different stages of development to implement some of these stringent requirements.</p> <p>The paper develops and compares collision avoidance algorithms, demonstrating them within a 6 degrees of freedom, multi-spacecraft environment. At first a number of different collision avoidance scenarios will be identified alongside the triggers that will cause the algorithms to be activated. Once activated the collision avoidance algorithm must ensure corrective action to avoid catastrophic consequences to the mission.</p>

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Keywords: Spacecraft formation, collision avoidance
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Radice, Dr Gianmarco
• Authors: Radice, G., and MacDonald, M.
• Subjects: T Technology > TL Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Autonomous Systems and Connectivity
• Research Group: Space Advanced Research Team
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2008 The Authors
• First Published: First published in proceedings of the 59th International Astronautical Congress
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with permission of the authors