Optimal motion planning in attitude maneuver using non-holonomic turns for a transformable spacecraft

Abstract

As an innovative spacecraft system, a transformable spacecraft is being studied by the authors. One of the most innovative points of the spacecraft is that it is capable of non-holonomic turns for attitude maneuver. By the combination of the turns, the spacecraft can change its attitude largely without using fuel or external forces/torques. In this paper, we first show that it is possible to achieve any kinds of attitude with slight error in principle using a simple model, although it may not be optimal. After that, a method for optimal motion planning using genetic algorithm is proposed. Show more