• Journal of Space Technology and Applications
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.30-40
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• 2022

This paper illustrates the trajectory design of drift distance recovery after initial launch and proximity operation when verifying rendezvous/docking technology using nanosatellites. The rendezvous/docking is a technology that is the basis of on-orbit servicing technology and is a preemptive process essential for approaching a target object. In particular, since it is difficult to verify in space, nanosatellites have recently been used to reduce the risk and cost of the development stage. Therefore, this paper not only introduces the configuration and specifications of thrusters for nanosatellites but also designs relative trajectories that can take into account the thrust limitations which come from the small size and low power of nanosatellites. In addition, we intend to be helpful in later designing scenarios according to the improvement of available thruster performance through comparison of trajectories and thrust usage with cases without thrust limitations.

• Journal of Space Technology and Applications
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.7-22
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• 2021

In this paper, we describe the results of the docking phase test in the ground environment of the rendezvous/docking technology verification satellite under development for the first time in Korea. rendezvous/docking technology is a high-level technology in space technology, which is also very important for accessing and performing tasks on relative objects in space orbit. In this paper, we describe the ground test results that the chaser finally docks the fixed target using an air bearing device. Based on the thrust control algorithm in the docking phase and the relative object recognition and relative distance estimation algorithm using visual-based sensors validated in this paper, we intend to use them for later expansion to rendezvous/docking algorithms in three-dimensional space for testing in space.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.36 no.11
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• pp.1072-1078
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• 2008

An adaptive control algorithm for spacecraft rendezvous and docking in a Keplerian orbit is presented. The equations of relative motion of two spacecrafts expressed in a local-vertical-local-horizontal rectangular frame are converted to a general Hamiltonian form, then an adaptive control method developed for the uncertain Hamiltonian system is applied to the rendezvous and docking problem. A smooth projection algorithm is applied to keep the parameter estimates inside a singularity-free region, and a numerical example shows that the developed controller successfully deals with the unknown mass of the chaser spacecraft.

• Journal of Space Technology and Applications
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2022

In this paper, we described the development of a drag augmentation device for nanosatellite. Recently, space industry has entered the New Space era, and barriers to entry into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for artificial objects such as small rockets and nanosatellite mega constellations have been significantly lowered. As a result, the number of space debris is increasing exponentially, and it is approaching as a major threat to satellite currently in operation as well as satellites to be launched in near future. To prevent this, international organizations like Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) have been proposed space debris mitigation guidelines. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) conducted KARI Rendezvous & Docking demonstration SATellite (KARDSAT) project, the first nanosatellites for rendezvous and docking technology demonstration in Korea, and we also developed drag augmentation device for KARDSAT Target nanosatellite that complied with the international guideline of post-mission disposal.

• Journal of Space Technology and Applications
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.101-117
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• 2023

Active debris removal, a technology that approaches and removes space debris in orbit, and the on-orbit service, a technology for extending the mission life of satellites by fuel charging or by exchanging the battery, are gaining interest with the growth of the space community. SaTReC plans to develop a satellite capable of capturing and removing Korean satellites orbiting in space after the end of their missions. In contrast to the previously launched satellites by Korea, which were mainly intended to observe Earth and the space environment, rendezvous/docking technologies, as required in the future during, for instance, space exploration missions, will be implemented and demonstrated. In this paper, an orbital transition method for next-generation small satellites that will capture and remove space debris will be introduced. It is assumed that a small satellite with a mass of approximately 200 kg will be injected into the mission orbit through Korea Space Launch Vehicle-II in 2027. Because the satellite must access the target using a minimum amount of fuel, an approaching technology using Earth's J2 perturbation force has been developed. This method is expected to enable space debris removal missions for relatively lightweight satellites and to serve as the basis for carrying out a new type of space exploration in what is termed the 'Newspace' era.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.219-229
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• 2018

This paper proposes Kalman Filter-based relative navigation algorithms for proximity tasks such as rendezvous/docking/cluster-operation of spacecraft using PSD Sensors and Infrared Beacon Modules. Numerical simulations are performed for comparative analysis of the performance of each relative-navigation technique. Based on the operation principle and optical modeling of the PSD Sensor and the Infrared Beacon Module used in the relative navigation algorithm, a measurement model for the Kalman filter is constructed. The Extended Kalman Filter(EKF) and the Unscented Kalman Filter(UKF) are used as probabilistic relative navigation based on measurement fusion to utilize kinematics and dynamics information on translational and rotation motions of satellites. Relative position and relative attitude estimation performance of two filters is compared. Especially, through the simulation of various scenarios, performance changes are also investigated depending on the number of PSD Sensors and IR Beacons in target and chaser satellites.