Autonomous system tests successful against simulated spacecraft failures in lab
University of Illinois researchers tested an autonomous rendezvous system that overcomes simulated spacecraft failures during recent laboratory experiments.
Growing debris problem in orbit
The European Space Agency reports approximately 19,440 satellites currently exist in low Earth orbit. Of these numbers, 3,540 are nonfunctioning or do not emit warning signals to other spacecraft. Over 8,000 metric tons of debris also float in space without the ability to thrust or send signals.
Study targets uncooperative spacecraft
Minduli Wijayatunga from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign focuses on repairing a spacecraft that has lost communication capabilities. The servicer must approach such a target without assistance because it acts like an unconscious patient. Repairs require autonomous execution due to time delays in communications between Earth and the repair vehicle.
Research published in journal
The study regarding these autonomous rendezvous capabilities appears in the journal Acta Astronautica. Researchers must track trajectories of uncooperative objects while making go or no-go decisions independently. Planning around sunlight conditions remains a necessary factor for these orbital operations.
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