Acquisition and control of a precision formation flying mission
Name
668214381-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
7.56 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
d887137bb890c27767ac54bc17ecf992
Author(s)
Field, John M., S.M. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Advisor(s)
David W. Miller and Alvar Saenz-Otero.
Date Issued
2010
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
Using formation flying spacecraft as space-based interferometers will provide images of unprecedented resolution. Missions such as Stellar Imager plan to use multiple spacecraft in a formation instead of a typical monolithic space telescope, achieving a resolution up to 0.1 milliarcseconds. In order to assemble into a formation, these satellites must first locate each other using limited field-of-view sensors. Once the satellites are in a formation, the path length of the light going to the combiner satellite must be controlled to nanometer levels to produce an image of high quality. One solution to control to such precision is to use staged control methods, utilizing multiple actuators with overlapping strokes and bandwidths. This thesis first provides an algorithm for three satellites to initialize into a formation using relative measurements and limited field-of-view sensors. The satellites perform a search to locate each other, accurately point their transmitters at each other, and move into an equilateral triangle formation. This thesis also provides the framework for developing a staged pointing and phasing testbed using the Synchronized Position Hold Engage Reorient Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) as the coarse stage. The pointing actuation is provided by a fast steering mirror and a linear stage, and the phasing actuation is provided by an optical delay line consisting of a voice coil mirror and a piezo mirror.
Description
Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2010.
This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Cataloged from student submitted PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 103-105).
Subjects
Aeronautics and Astronautics.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
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reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written
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