GUIDANCE FOR ELLIPTIC ORBIT RENDEZVOUS

This paper provides an overview of a guidance function for autonomous elliptic orbit rendezvous. The basic design philosophy is to exploit the similarities between circular orbit rendezvous and elliptic orbit rendezvous to the maximum possible extent. Analogous maneuvers to the Hohmann transfer and the radial impulsive transfer are presented. These maneuvers are incorporated into a comprehensive strategy for the long-range and short-range rendezvous phases respectively. For each rendezvous phase, the guidance strategy is broken down in a set of decision criteria, which uniquely identify the possible situations that may occur during that phase. In turn, each situation is associated with the appropriate response in terms of maneuver type and goal. The implementation of a guidance function using these principles leads to good results for all scenarios and initial conditions that have been identified as applicable.