Design and fabrication of a planar autonomous spacecraft simulator with docking and fluid transfer capability

• Main Author: Shay, Tracy J.
• Other Authors: Romano, Marcello.
• Format: Others
• Published: Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School 2012
• Subjects: Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10945/1823

The objective of this thesis is to describe the concept development, design, system integration, and operating procedures for the AUDASS II vehicle (Autonomous Docking and Spacecraft Servicing Simulator). The AUDASS II is an improved follow on design of AUDASS I, developed in September of 2002. The purpose of AUDASS II is to simulate a chaser spacecraft autonomously rendezvousing and docking with a target spacecraft for the purpose of conducting fluid transfer. This demonstration involves two vehicles elevated, via air pads, upon a smooth epoxy surface, thus allowing three near frictionless degrees of freedom. The ultimate goal of this thesis is to fabricate a vehicle and requisite documentation that will allow future students to conduct experiments using different control algorithms and/or sensors to conduct autonomous rendezvous and docking maneuvers.