Methods and systems for generating a mission plan that guides a spacecraft to orbiting target objects
US12378007B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 23, 2023 |
| Grant date | Aug 5, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 5, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05D2109/40
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An example method executed by a controller onboard a spacecraft generates a mission plan in real-time that guides the spacecraft along a space autonomous mission to rendezvous with two or more orbiting target objects. The method includes establishing potential permutations for all possible unique maneuver sequences in which to visit the two or more orbiting target objects, and for each potential permutation, determining a collision-free maneuver plan for defining orbit trajectories to intercept each of the two or more orbiting target objects for each of the possible unique maneuver sequences. An optimal permutation is determined that meets viewing constraints of the two or more orbiting target objects, a viewing priority, and fuel constraints of the spacecraft. A mission visit plan is generated using the optimal permutation, and the spacecraft executes the plan to rendezvous with and inspect the two or more orbiting target objects.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.