Spacecraft self- and soft-docking control approach with electromagnetic/magnetic flux-pinning synergy

Spacecraft docking controlled by inter-craft electromagnetic fields actuation not only hasn't propellant consumption and plume contamination, but also provides high-precision control capability of continuous, reversible, synchronous and non-contacting. In addition, with electromagnetic/magnetic flux-pinning synergy, spacecraft docking has 6-DOF passive stability, stiffness and damping effect. This paper deals with the optimized electromagnetic moment design for magnetic flux-pinning and the handover control approach between the two actuation phases. Finally, several numerical simulations are utilized to verify the theoretical design.