Robust guidance and control algorithms for small-body proximity operations based on constrained programming

The robust guidance and control algorithms based on constrained programming for enabling spacecraft proximity operations about small-bodies are developed. Incorporating the gravity models of the target bodies, in addition to enabling the satisfaction of state and control constraints, allows the problem to be cast as a second-order cone program (SOCP). Considering the influence of uncertainties from gravity model and disturbance on tracking the guidance trajectory, the design of the feedback policy is conducted based on bounding arguments on the model uncertainty. The results from mathematical simulation show that the guidance and control algorithms based on the convex program provide a clear benefit over classical polynomial fit guidance methods in reducing guidance and control deviation and satisfying state and control constraints.