Control and stability problems of remote orbital capture

Certain space shuttle missions may require retrieval of passive spinning and precessing satellites. One proposed means of retrieval utilizes a free-flying teleoperator launched from the shuttle. A study of misalignment, stability, and certain control aspects during capture of an object is reported here. The approach used is to model the dynamics by a Lagrangian formulation and apply torque components to dissipate motion. Differential angular rates between teleoperator and object are assumed, and control responses after capture are reviewed.