Suborbital Test of a Robotics-Based Method for In-Orbit Identification of Spacecraft Inertia Properties

This project is aimed at developing an autonomous suborbital flight experiment to validate a recently developed robotics-based method for identifying the unknown or changed inertia property (the mass, mass center location, and moments of inertia) of a spacecraft in orbit. Such a method can be used to enhance spacecraft’s state estimation and control capability for future on-orbit servicing missions such as satellite refueling, rescuing, repairing, orbit debris cleaning, etc. The project is built on the success of our prior research efforts with a new emphasis on the development and test of the inertia identification method in microgravity condition which will be provided by suborbital flight. A two-flight approach is proposed in order to ensure the success and safety of the experiment.

AIAA 2016-5295 Paper of flight test results.

The technology of using a robotics-based method for identifying the unknown or changed inertial properties of a spacecraft in orbit will benefit the commercial space industry and future NASA missions.

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