On-orbit satellite inspection : navigation and [Delta]v analysis

Abstract

Since the late 1950's when the first man-made satellite was launched into space, there has been a keen interest to inspect these orbiting spacecraft. In the past, there have been employed a variety of inspection methods which primarily consisted of different ground observation facilities. Unfortunately, ground-based sensors are often limited to the weather conditions and the particular flight path of the satellite. To overcome these and other obstacles, the inspection sensors can be moved from the ground and placed on spacecraft in orbit dedicated for satellite inspections. Is it possible for a miniaturized satellite to perform these inspections while on orbit? In this thesis, a small inspection satellite concept is developed and then verified using a high-fidelity 6 degree-of-freedom simulation. A detailed angles-only navigation analysis and [delta]v performance analysis of three different inspection trajectories are performed. The results of this analysis show the feasibility of angles-only rendezvous navigation and the over-all inspection satellite concept while validating the implemented flight algorithms.