Optimal control of rapid cooperative spacecraft rendezvous with multiple specific-direction thrusts

Abstract

Focusing on the long-distance rapid cooperative rendezvous of two spacecraft under finite continuous thrust, this paper proposes a practical strategy for space operation using multiple specific-direction thrusts. Based on the orbital dynamic theory and Pontryagin’s maximum principle, the dynamic equations and optimal control equations for radial, circumferential, and normal thrust are determined. The optimization method is a hybrid algorithm. The initial costate variables for the fuel-optimal rapid cooperative rendezvous problem are obtained using quantum particle swarm optimization and subsequently set as the initial values in the sequence quadratic programming to search for the exact convergent solution. The elliptical and near-circular mission orbital rendezvous for spacecraft with multiple specific-direction thrusts are simulated and optimized. Numerical examples verifying the proposed method are provided. The results facilitate easier realization of rapid spacecraft maneuvering under continuous thrust conditions.