Optimal Pointing Sequences in Spacecraft Formation Flying Using Online Planning with Resource Constraints

Samuel Low, Mykel Kochenderfer
Proceedings of The 4th Annual Learning for Dynamics and Control Conference, PMLR 168:355-365, 2022.

Abstract

In spacecraft formation flying, establishing inter-satellite communication links is critical for data exchange and relative satellite navigation. In large formations, establishing links between the reference chief and all deputy satellites can weigh heavily on mission execution time and resources. This study strives to find the optimal sequence of pointing decisions for a single chief spacecraft to the entire formation, while respecting practical resource constraints such as power budgeting. The sequential decision making problem is formulated as a Markov decision process (MDP) and solved as a shortest path problem. Two-body astrodynamics and rigid body dynamics are assumed in the simulation. We compared several policies: a random policy, two types of greedy policies, one-step look-ahead, and forward tree search. Policies were tested on a single demonstration scenario, and then tested on 1,000 Monte Carlo trials using randomized formation geometries. The total pointing mission execution times and the relative runtimes were assessed across these policies. Results show effectiveness in finding the shortest sequential pointing sequence, demonstrating promise in autonomous decision making for spacecraft attitude control in future missions.

Cite this Paper

BibTeX
@InProceedings{pmlr-v168-low22a, title = {Optimal Pointing Sequences in Spacecraft Formation Flying Using Online Planning with Resource Constraints}, author = {Low, Samuel and Kochenderfer, Mykel}, booktitle = {Proceedings of The 4th Annual Learning for Dynamics and Control Conference}, pages = {355--365}, year = {2022}, editor = {Firoozi, Roya and Mehr, Negar and Yel, Esen and Antonova, Rika and Bohg, Jeannette and Schwager, Mac and Kochenderfer, Mykel}, volume = {168}, series = {Proceedings of Machine Learning Research}, month = {23--24 Jun}, publisher = {PMLR}, pdf = {https://proceedings.mlr.press/v168/low22a/low22a.pdf}, url = {https://proceedings.mlr.press/v168/low22a.html}, abstract = {In spacecraft formation flying, establishing inter-satellite communication links is critical for data exchange and relative satellite navigation. In large formations, establishing links between the reference chief and all deputy satellites can weigh heavily on mission execution time and resources. This study strives to find the optimal sequence of pointing decisions for a single chief spacecraft to the entire formation, while respecting practical resource constraints such as power budgeting. The sequential decision making problem is formulated as a Markov decision process (MDP) and solved as a shortest path problem. Two-body astrodynamics and rigid body dynamics are assumed in the simulation. We compared several policies: a random policy, two types of greedy policies, one-step look-ahead, and forward tree search. Policies were tested on a single demonstration scenario, and then tested on 1,000 Monte Carlo trials using randomized formation geometries. The total pointing mission execution times and the relative runtimes were assessed across these policies. Results show effectiveness in finding the shortest sequential pointing sequence, demonstrating promise in autonomous decision making for spacecraft attitude control in future missions.} }
Endnote
%0 Conference Paper %T Optimal Pointing Sequences in Spacecraft Formation Flying Using Online Planning with Resource Constraints %A Samuel Low %A Mykel Kochenderfer %B Proceedings of The 4th Annual Learning for Dynamics and Control Conference %C Proceedings of Machine Learning Research %D 2022 %E Roya Firoozi %E Negar Mehr %E Esen Yel %E Rika Antonova %E Jeannette Bohg %E Mac Schwager %E Mykel Kochenderfer %F pmlr-v168-low22a %I PMLR %P 355--365 %U https://proceedings.mlr.press/v168/low22a.html %V 168 %X In spacecraft formation flying, establishing inter-satellite communication links is critical for data exchange and relative satellite navigation. In large formations, establishing links between the reference chief and all deputy satellites can weigh heavily on mission execution time and resources. This study strives to find the optimal sequence of pointing decisions for a single chief spacecraft to the entire formation, while respecting practical resource constraints such as power budgeting. The sequential decision making problem is formulated as a Markov decision process (MDP) and solved as a shortest path problem. Two-body astrodynamics and rigid body dynamics are assumed in the simulation. We compared several policies: a random policy, two types of greedy policies, one-step look-ahead, and forward tree search. Policies were tested on a single demonstration scenario, and then tested on 1,000 Monte Carlo trials using randomized formation geometries. The total pointing mission execution times and the relative runtimes were assessed across these policies. Results show effectiveness in finding the shortest sequential pointing sequence, demonstrating promise in autonomous decision making for spacecraft attitude control in future missions.
APA
Low, S. & Kochenderfer, M.. (2022). Optimal Pointing Sequences in Spacecraft Formation Flying Using Online Planning with Resource Constraints. Proceedings of The 4th Annual Learning for Dynamics and Control Conference, in Proceedings of Machine Learning Research 168:355-365 Available from https://proceedings.mlr.press/v168/low22a.html.

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