Laboratory Study of Microsatellite Control Algorithms Performance for Active Space Debris Removal Using UAV Mock-Ups on a Planar Air-Bearing Test Bed

In this paper, a planar air-bearing test bed with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) was used to microsatellite motion control system. The UAV mock-ups were controlled by four ventilator actuators that imitated the satellite thrusters and provided required acceleration vector in horizontal plane, torque along vertical direction. moved almost without friction due air cushion between surface flat mock-up base. of satellites orbital plane. problem space debris can be solved using special missions able dock objects change their orbit. two algorithms based on virtual potentials approach State Dependent Ricatti Equation (SDRE) controller, proposed for docking non-cooperative object. tested laboratory facility, results are presented analyzed, including main features demonstrated during study. It shown SDRE-based faster, although potential-based less characteristic velocity.