Development of simulation testbed for autonomous On-Orbit Servicing technology

While autonomous On-Orbit Servicing(OOS) capabilities are prerequisites for the success of the envisioned sample return and human missions to the bodies of the Solar System, the mishap of previous mission indicates the mastery of autonomous OOS technologies is still an open challenge. On the other hand, ground test is a relatively low-risk, low-cost and high-return method for validating autonomous OOS technologies. An experimental testbed which consists of several spacecraft simulators floating on a flat marble table has been constructed to systematically demonstrate various key technologies for autonomous OOS mission. Ongoing research is to demonstrate the scientific problems in on-orbit refueling especially in modularized integrated docking/refueling mechanism analysis and design, miniaturized modularized fluid management mechanism design, and on-orbit refueling imitation.