A comparison of acceleration control and pulse control in simulated spacecraft docking maneuversResults are reported from a study designed to compare acceleration control with pulse control in simulated spacecraft docking maneuvers. Nine commercial airline pilots served as test subjects and the simulated remote dockings of an orbital maneuvering vehicle (OMV) to a space station were initiated from 50, 100, and 150 meters along the station's minus velocity vector. The trials were grouped into blocks of 18 consisting of six repetitions of the three ranges. It was found that mission duration was lower with pulse mode, while fuel consumption was lower with acceleration mode. It is suggested that this result is most likely specific to the thruster values that are being used.
Document ID
19910034841
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Brody, Adam R. (NASA Ames Research Center; Sterling Software, Inc. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Ellis, Stephen R. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)