The Influence of Sensor and Thruster Imperfections on the Attitude and Position of a Spacecraft Performing a Rendez-Vous,

Abstract : The operational conditions of two spacecrafts performing a rendez-vous in geostationary orbit are given with the relative motion equation and the relevant control law. The concept of position, velocity and attitude measurement of the chaser vehicle with respect to the target one is given in order to allow the evaluation of the measurement errors. Simulations show the effect of the errors sources on the flight path of the approaching vehicle and point out the necessity of a good matching between the sensor accuracy and the minimum impulse level of the actuation system. (Author)