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TPF-I SWG Report - Exoplanet Exploration Program - NASA

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T E C H N O L O G Y R OADMAP FOR <strong>TPF</strong>-I<br />

6.3.2 Formation Algorithms and Simulation Testbed (FAST)<br />

Formation and Attitude Control System (FACS) lies at the heart of the formation-flying software. It is<br />

designed to provide three-axis inertial attitude and inter-s/c range and bearing control of each of the<br />

spacecraft in the <strong>TPF</strong>-I formation. Additionally, FACS provides the capability of initializing/reacquiring<br />

the formation through the acquisition of inter-s/c range/bearing knowledge, using the available on-board<br />

formation sensing capability. FACS ensures collision free operation of the formation throughout all<br />

nominal phases of the <strong>TPF</strong>-I mission. It is described in more detail in Appendix C. Here it is used for<br />

two software demonstrations that are described in the following pages.<br />

Two high-level scenarios have been demonstrated in FAST. The first consists of two spacecraft<br />

functioning as a distributed interferometer. The second is a two-robot simulation of the FCT.<br />

Figure 6-6. (top left) Spacecraft spring apart, arrest separation velocity, acquire relative sensor, and<br />

rotate formation to center Sun on panels; (top right) Beginning of second retarget: only relative position is<br />

controlled, the formation is drifting downwards; (bottom left) Approximately half-way through second<br />

retarget. Bowed trajectory is for collision avoidance; (bottom right) View after second retarget<br />

completed.<br />

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