Guidance strategy for hyperbolic rendezvous

A guidance algorithm was used to examine the space rendezvous process from a low-circular orbit departure, to final docking of a space vehicle taxi, with the cycler. The algorithm tracked the desired approach profile, allowing the taxi, to dock within 10 cm of the approach axis at a speed of 7 cm per second. It was observed that the docking procedure can be repeated, when the taxi approaches the the cycle outside the docking radius. Safety measures and redundant systems were included in the rendezvous strategy, to overcome the problems faced by the taxi in docking with the cycler. The safety measures adopted provided adequate safety for hyperbolic rendezvous, overcoming a major challenge of cycler and semicycler architectures.