guidance, flight mechanics and trajectory optimization

ABSTRACT
This Monograph is intended to present a discussion of the principles and
techniques of accomplishing a rendezvous between two spacecraft. In the con-
text here, rendezvous is considered as the interface between the midcourse
corrections of an orbital transfer maneuver which establishes the two space-
craft on nearly identical orbits and the docking maneuver which results in the
physical contact of the two spacecraft. First consideration in the discussion
is given to the development of the equations of relative motion of the two
vehicles. To facilitate the use in guidance scheme, these equations are
developed in various coordinate systems, with several choices for the inde-
pendent variables, and with several simplifying assumptions. Next, guidance
schemes are developed based on these equations of motion. As each guidance
scheme is presented, its existence is in some way justified and the relative
advantages and disadvantages as compared to the other schemes discussed. With
this discussion enough information is available so that the elements of a
rendezvous guidance scheme can be constructed for a particular set of condi-
tions in which a rendezvous maneuver is required.
NAA acknowledges the effort of the following persons in the preparation
of this Monograph.
Mr. H. A. McCarty, Program Manager
Mr. G. E. Townsend, Project Engineer
Mr. D. F. Bender, Author
Mr. A. L. Blackford, Author
Mrs. D. Chandler, MSFC Program Manager