Autonomous Relative Navigation for Small Spacecraft

The thesis deals with the relative navigation between two small formation flying spacecraft. The inter-satellite distance is measured using locally generated radiofrequency ranging signals. Design considerations for the spacecraft and the relative navigation system are discussed as well as the estimation of the relative state. The influence of...

Development of a Robotics-based Satellites Docking Simulator

The European Proximity Operation Simulator (EPOS) is a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) system aiming, among other objectives, at emulating on-orbit docking of spacecraft for verification and validation of the docking phase. This HIL docking simulator set-up essentially consists of docking interfaces, simulating the servicing satellite called chaser...

A Reconfigurable GPS/Galileo Receiver Front-end for Space Applications

The trend of space technology developments is moving from high power consuming, bulky and costly systems towards low-power, small, low-cost and flexible systems. Thus, the spacecraft can benefit from multi-purpose and flexible systems which can be low-power and low-cost by employing new technology. One example of such system is a GNSS receiver...

Broadband Liquid Dampers to Stabilize Flexible Spacecraft Structures

Mass-spring and liquid dampers enable structural vibration control to attenuate single, coupled lateral and torsional vibrations in diverse structures. Out of these, the passively tuned liquid damper (TLD) class is wanted due to its broad applicability, extreme reliability, robustness, long life time and ease of manufacturability. In this PhD...

Tethers in Space: A propellantless propulsion in-orbit demonstration

Space tethers are cables that connect satellites or other endmasses in orbit. The emptiness of space and the near-weightlessness there make it possible to deploy very long and thin tethers. By exploiting basic principles of physics, tethers can provide propellantless propulsion and enable unique applications such as the provision of comfortable...

Autonomous formation flying in low earth orbit

Formation flying is commonly identified as the collective usage of two or more cooperative spacecraft to exercise the function of a single monolithic virtual instrument. The distribution of tasks and payloads among fleets of coordinated smaller satellites offers the possibility to overcome the classical limitations of traditional single...