Guidance and Control Systems for Multi-Satellite Assembly using Decentralized Nonlinear Model Predictive Control

Abstract

Assembly of multiple satellites enables to replace the functionality of one large satellite by multiple smaller satellites for many applications and missions such as formation flying, multi robot planetary exploration, and satellites warms. In this paper, a novel decentralized guidance and control (G&C) algorithms is developed for multi-satellite assembly in proximity operations based on Non linear Model Predictive Control (NMPC).The two-body relative motion model is utilized in designing the G&C systems. Decentralization avoids the single point of failure (i.e., the leader satellite), which enhances the robustness of the system. The NMPC is utilized because of itsability to handle the output and the input constraints. Collision avoidance is ensured by defining a quadratic constraint equation. Moreover, the optimal thrust vector is computed while considering the control input saturation. The mission is to assemblemultiple satellites into a cubic configuration, where each satellite approaches a cube vertex. Totes the algorithms’ effectiveness and to increase the level of confidence prior flight, the proposed closed-loop G&C system is demonstrated by using MATLAB andtested for a relative motion model with J2 perturbation. The simulation results showsmooth conversion of all satellites to the target while satisfying the input and outputconstraints.