In this paper we propose a hybrid control strategy to solve the problem of rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking of an autonomous spacecraft in 3D. Due to the different constraints and tasks to perform, a hybrid systems approach is implemented to solve the problem in three phases: 1) rendezvous; 2) rendezvous with smaller relative distance; 3) docking phase; and 4) docked phase; with range and angle measurements. In this approach, we implement a supervisor that robustly coordinates the individual controllers to accomplish the whole mission. We also present the designs of these individual controllers that solve the appropriate control problems for the individual phases. Numerical results for both the nominal and perturbed case validate the hybrid control strategy for the spacecraft close-proximity mission.

A hybrid control methodology is presented for autonomous rendezvous, proximity operations and docking of a pair of spacecraft. For the theoretical development of the control algorithms, the dynamics of the spacecraft are modeled using the Clohessy-Wiltshire-Hill equations, which result in a linear system of relative motion equations. Only in-plane motion is considered, resulting in a two-dimensional system, and the control input is the acceleration vector of the active spacecraft, constrained by a maximum thrust value. Individual controllers are designed for different phases of the of approach and transitions are governed by a hybrid supervising algorithm. The hybrid control algorithm is implemented both in MATLAB, using a simplified dynamic model, as well as in actual spacecraft flight code and tested in a high-fidelity spacecraft simulation test environment.