Results of a Ground-Based Demonstration of Autonomous Tracking and Capture of a Satellite
- Paper number
IAC-06-D1.P.2.03
- Author
Ms. Laurie Chappell, MDA, Canada
- Year
2006
- Abstract
The ability to determine the pose of an object in space is essential for robotic servicing of on-orbit assets. Determination of pose is challenging if the object has no features or targets specifically designed to be identified using machine vision. The task is further complicated if the object is moving and must be tracked while the pose is being estimated. Under contract to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, MDA has designed, developed and manufactured a flight-equivalent robotic system capable of tracking and capturing a free-flying satellite. This technology development is the result of the work that was initiated to perform robotic servicing of the Hubble Space Telescope. This paper will present the results of the ground-based demonstration system capable of robotically tracking and capturing an object moving at rates typical of a tumbling satellite. This work is an advancement of previous technology that demonstrated tracking and capture of an object equipped with a target specifically designed to be tracked using machine vision.
- Abstract document