Hardware-in-the-loop based ground test system for space berthing and docking mechanism of small spacecraft

Abstract

Ground test for space berthing and docking mechanism plays crucial roles in their stable operation in orbit. In this paper, a hardware-in-the-loop based ground test system is presented for economic reliability test for space berthing and docking mechanism of small spacecraft. In the system, the support and adapter unit is employed to fix the active part of the berthing and docking mechanism, and the end-effector of the manipulator connects the passive part. The manipulator is driven according to the relative motion calculated by the hardware-in-the-loop model after gravity compensation, to simulate motion of space berthing and docking mechanism in space. A Smith predictor is introduced for control system delays compensation. A berthing and docking mechanism was employed in the experiment to evaluate the performance of the test system. The results validated the effectiveness of the test system. Since only one manipulator is exploited in the test system, compared with existing systems using two manipulators, the system cost can be greatly decreased.