Probability-based hazard avoidance guidance for planetary landing. (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yuan, Xu; Yu, Zhengshi; Cui, Pingyuan; Xu, Rui; Zhu, Shengying; Cao, Menglong; Luan, Enjie
• Is Part Of: Acta astronautica. Volume 144(2018)
• Page Start: 12
• Page End: 22
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: Hazard avoidance -- Guidance -- Landing -- Collision probability -- Uncertainty; Astronautics -- Periodicals; Outer space -- Exploration -- Periodicals; Astronautics; Periodicals; 629.405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2017.11.039
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-5765

Abstract

Abstract: Future landing and sample return missions on planets and small bodies will seek landing sites with high scientific value, which may be located in hazardous terrains. Autonomous landing in such hazardous terrains and highly uncertain planetary environments is particularly challenging. Onboard hazard avoidance ability is indispensable, and the algorithms must be robust to uncertainties. In this paper, a novel probability-based hazard avoidance guidance method is developed for landing in hazardous terrains on planets or small bodies. By regarding the lander state as probabilistic, the proposed guidance algorithm exploits information on the uncertainty of lander position and calculates the probability of collision with each hazard. The collision probability serves as an accurate safety index, which quantifies the impact of uncertainties on the lander safety. Based on the collision probability evaluation, the state uncertainty of the lander is explicitly taken into account in the derivation of the hazard avoidance guidance law, which contributes to enhancing the robustness to the uncertain dynamics of planetary landing. The proposed probability-based method derives fully analytic expressions and does not require off-line trajectory generation. Therefore, it is appropriate for real-time implementation. The performance of the probability-based guidance law is investigated via a set of simulations, and the effectiveness and robustness under uncertainties are demonstrated. Highlights: A probabilistic hazard avoidance guidance method for planetary landing is proposed. Information of state uncertainty is exploited in the guidance law development. Collision probability is computed analytically online to measure danger of collision. The method is fully analytic and does not require off-line trajectory generation. The method is particularly beneficial for landing in interesting but hazardous areas.