Model predictive control-based satellite docking control for on-orbit refueling mission

ALANDIHALLAJ, Mohammadamin; HEIN, Andreas; THOEMEL, Jan

doi:10.1016/j.jsse.2025.03.007

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Model predictive control-based satellite docking control for on-orbit refueling mission

ALANDIHALLAJ, Mohammadamin; HEIN, Andreas; THOEMEL, Jan

2025 • In Journal of Space Safety Engineering, 12 (2), p. 312 - 326

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https://hdl.handle.net/10993/66650

DOI
10.1016/j.jsse.2025.03.007

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Keywords :

LQG control; Model predictive control; Orbital refueling; Satellite docking; Aerospace Engineering; Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality

Abstract :

[en] On-orbit satellite refueling is an essential aspect of satellite operations, as it enables satellites to prolong their lifetime and improves their overall performance. One of the critical challenges in the docking phase of such a mission is the fuel sloshing disturbance, which can affect the accuracy and safety of the docking process. In this study, we propose a control strategy for the docking phase of a refueling mission, where the objective is to safely and efficiently refuel a stationary target satellite. We use a combination of model predictive control and linear quadratic gaussian control to address the fuel sloshing disturbance, which is modeled using a spherical pendulum. The effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed approach are evaluated through numerical simulations using the Zero-G Lab facilities of the University of Luxembourg. The results demonstrate that the proposed strategy is capable of achieving a safe and fuel-efficient docking trajectory in the presence of fuel sloshing disturbance.

Disciplines :

Aerospace & aeronautics engineering

Author, co-author :

ALANDIHALLAJ, Mohammadamin ; University of Luxembourg > Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SNT) > SPASYS

HEIN, Andreas ; University of Luxembourg > Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SNT) > SPASYS

THOEMEL, Jan ; University of Luxembourg

External co-authors :

Language :

English

Title :

Model predictive control-based satellite docking control for on-orbit refueling mission

Publication date :

June 2025

Journal title :

Journal of Space Safety Engineering

ISSN :

2468-8975

eISSN :

2468-8967

Publisher :

Elsevier Ltd

Volume :

Issue :

Pages :

312 - 326

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Additional URL :

https://api.elsevier.com/content/article/PII:S2468896725000199?httpAccept=text/xml

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since 04 December 2025

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