Motion planning techniques for self-configuration of homogeneous pivoting cube modular satellites
Qiliang Song, Dong Ye, Zhaowei Sun, Bo Wang
Abstract
Modular satellites achieve on-orbit self-reconfiguration according to the mission requirements. Self-reconfiguration planning is one of the most critical problems in the field of modular systems. In this study, algorithms based on graph theory for the self-configuration of a homogeneous pivoting cube modular satellite are proposed. We present A* algorithms for the self-reconfiguration of modular satellites and verify their performance using graphical user interface simulation software. The algorithms complete the reconfiguration of modular satellites with sizes varying from 5 to 50 modules in O ( n ) moving steps. Simulations and results are used to verify the feasibility and superior performance of the proposed algorithm.