Patent ID: 6302354
Filing Date: 2001-10-16
Classification: B64G,F41G

Abstract:
A method for flying by an object in space at a fly-by distance by a fly-by vehicle, the object having an object trajectory, the method comprising the steps of,receiving line-of-sight data indicating the direction of object vehicle relative to the fly-by vehicle,receiving closing velocity data indicating a relative velocity between the object and the fly-by vehicle,predictive estimating at a distal position a closest approach distance and time from the line-of-sight data and the closing velocity data, the estimating occurring when the fly-by vehicle is at a distal position from the object,predictive maneuvering the fly-by vehicle onto an initial trajectory along which the fly-by vehicle would miss the object at an initial miss distance and initial fly-by time, the predictive maneuvering providing a non-zero line-of-sight angular rate relative to the object,navigational maneuvering the fly-by vehicle towards the object on an intercept trajectory using the non-zero line-of-sight angle rate, andterminating the navigational maneuvering at a termination time prior to interception and prior to flying by the object when the fly-by vehicle is at a proximal position from the object, the fly-by vehicle continuing along a fly-by trajectory from the distal position towards the object concurrently continuing along the object trajectory, the fly-by trajectory and object trajectory defining the miss distance at a fly-by time.