Preliminary trajectory analysis for Space Rider Observer Cube

This thesis is focused on analyzing the actual trajectory during rendezvous operation and flight formation on the SpaceRider-SROC mission. In particular the thesis proposed the guidance strategies and their assessment using different approaches. SpaceRider (SR) is an unmanned lifting body space plane that will be launched into orbit at the end of 2025. Space Rider Observer Cube (SROC) is an ESA technology demonstration mission carried out by a CubeSat that will be deployed from Space Rider, perform an inspection phase, rendezvous and dock with a dedicated retrieval mechanism hosted in the Space Rider cargo bay [1]. This 12U CubeSat, is developed by a consortium of Small Enterprises and universities. During this proximity operations is crucial that SROC never collide with SpaceRider in the entire mission. In first instance, a combination of two main software is used for the trajectory analysis. With Ansys System Tool Kit (STK) the possible trajectory is calculated via Astrogator. The Matlab script instead is used to set and elaborate the input and output parameters coming form STK. Matlab code and the scenario on STK, where previously created in Politecnico di Torino and then modified on the occurrence to fit the different type of analysis performed. The first part of the thesis is about studying the actual SROC trajectories via Montecarlo analysis and by using multi-boost with re-computation maneuver minimize the probability of SROC ending too close to SR during SROC operations. The second part of the work is about implementing a ΔV calculation algorithm that have to be computational efficient.STK in this part of the work is used to validate the model. Montecarlo analysis is reported after the validation of this strategy using STK environment only for verification and the validation purposes. To conclude, the thesis provides the design of guidance strategies for the SROC missions, developed interdependently form STK software.It allows to implement the new strategies directly in the onboard software, getting the mission operative without the intervention of the ground segment.