Model predictive control-based satellite docking control for on-orbit refueling mission

Abstract

On-orbit satellite refueling is an essential aspect of satellite operations, as it enables satellites to prolong their lifetime and improves their overall performance. One of the critical challenges in the docking phase of such a mission is the fuel sloshing disturbance, which can affect the accuracy and safety of the docking process. In this study, we propose a control strategy for the docking phase of a refueling mission, where the objective is to safely and efficiently refuel a stationary target satellite. We use a combination of model predictive control and linear quadratic gaussian control to address the fuel sloshing disturbance, which is modeled using a spherical pendulum. The effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed approach are evaluated through numerical simulations using the Zero-G Lab facilities of the University of Luxembourg. The results demonstrate that the proposed strategy is capable of achieving a safe and fuel-efficient docking trajectory in the presence of fuel sloshing disturbance.