Design and development of ground-based 5-DOF satellite formation flying testbed

This paper presents a new ground-based satellite formation ying testbed. Mainly consisting of multiple five-degrees-of-freedom (DOF) satellite motion simulators, at table, and tracking system, Autonomous Satellite Test Environment for Rendezvous In proXimity (ASTERIX) facility is designed to test and validate novel relative guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms for satellite formation ying missions. Imitating a member in formation, each satellite motion simulator works in group to demonstrate and validate advanced space technology such as proximity operations, autonomous rendezvous and docking (ARD), collision avoidance, etc. This work shows up-to-date development status of the new testbed regarding the prototype configuration, integration, and experimental results. Design improvements and changes in operation strategies is discussed for the final design based on structural and functional analysis using the pre-developed prototype. Preliminary experimental results on the performance analysis of equipments such as continuous thrust generation using proportional solenoid valves and attitude maneuver using reaction wheel assembly (RWA) is also presented.