Passively Safe Convex Guidance for Cislunar Rendezvous and Proximity Operations

2026/08/04 by Ian M. Down, Connor Plaks, Matthew Bolliger +1
Computer Science · Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #cs.RO #math.OC #nlin.CD

paper · pdf

Presented at the 2026 AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference, Whistler, BC

arxiv created 2026/08/04 · arxiv updated 2026/08/05

Abstract

This paper presents purely convex programs for passively safe impulsive rendezvous and proximity operations in cislunar orbits. Approach, arrival, and abort maneuvers are all designed and validated in the context of maneuver execution error and navigation uncertainty, and formulated for efficient onboard execution in the autonomous scenario. The outlined methods form the baseline onboard guidance routines for NASA's CAPSTONE 02 mission planned to demonstrate autonomous rendezvous and proximity operations capabilities in the southern 9:2 synodic near rectilinear halo orbit. High fidelity closed loop Monte Carlo simulations using the planned relative navigation sensor suite and measurement cadence verify the intended maneuver design performance.

Citations

• Successive Convexification for Passively-Safe Spacecraft Rendezvous on Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit
• Applications of Induced Tensor Norms to Guidance Navigation and Control
• Clarabel: An interior-point solver for conic programs with quadratic objectives
• Chance-Constrained, Drift-Safe Guidance for Spacecraft Rendezvous
• Convex optimization