HTV Guidance, Navigation and Control System Design for Safe Robotics Capture

Abstract

The H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) developed by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is an automated unmanned cargo transport system to the International Space Station (ISS). For final docking to the station, the HTV controls its relative motion to the ISS and is then captured by the ISS robotics arm (SSRMS). It will be the first visiting vehicle to be captured by the SSRMS. In the development process of the HTV Guidance, Navigation and Control (GN&C) system, JAXA and manufacturer addressed lots of technical challenges to satisfy capture conditions and safety requirements for off-nominal situation. This paper introduces how such technical difficulties were resolved.