Full-state prescribed performance pose tracking of space proximity operations with input saturation

This paper investigates the relative position tracking and attitude synchronization control for spacecraft close-range proximity missions with input saturation and model uncertainties. A robust saturated relative motion controller is proposed for this purpose. Prescribed performance functions are designed to guarantee the transient and steady-state response of the system and the full-state constraints. Then, a nonlinear disturbance observer is developed to estimate the lumped disturbance that comprises the effects of parametric uncertainties and kinematic couplings. At the same time, a linear compensator system is incorporated into the controller design to deal with the control input saturation. Finally, it can be proved via the Lyapunov theory that the closed-loop system is uniformly ultimately bounded stable. Simulation results on the spacecraft close-range rendezvous and docking mission validate the effectiveness of the proposed control approach.