Output Tracking Control for Autonomous Spacecraft Rendezvous

This paper studies the problem of robust output tracking control for the homing phase of autonomous spacecraft rendezvous. Based on the C-W equations, parameter uncertainty and the output tracking requirement, a new relative dynamic model is developed, and a robust guaranteed cost output tracking control problem is formulated. Then, by a Lyapunov approach, the controller design is cast into a convex optimization problem subject to linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) constraints. With the obtained controllers, the homing phase can be completed with a guaranteed cost, and the poles of the closed-loop system are located within a desire region. An illustrative example is provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed controller design method.