Kinematics of rendezvous maneuvers

Abstract

Mathematical expressions are obtained that solve the rendezvous problem with evasive and passive objects. Two simple rendezvous guidance schemes are imposed on the kinematic equations of motion. Complementary solutions to the resulting differential equations are solutions for rendezvous with passive objects, and particular solutions represent rendezvous with an evasive object. The solutions depend on a nondimensional guidance effectiveness parameter. Effective evasive maneuvers are discussed and analytical results are compared with numerically computed solutions to example rendezvous cases.