Orbital Robotics and Distributed Space Systems will enable new, emerging and future, space mission capabilities for applications with a broad societal impact such as: -high accuracy, large field, low Earth observation and remote sensing, to provide geographical data required by new services in the framework of the new space economy and needed to support climate-change adaptation and mitigation plans and; -high resolution astronomical observation, needed to study extra-solar planet systems and search for extra-terrestrial life signatures; -space based solar power collection and retransmission; -sustainability of the space environment, e.g., space-debris removal to mitigate the occurrence of Kessler syndrome, or in the context of servicing and reuse, situational awareness, space surveillance and security, and space logistics. 

Orbital robotics systems, that are covered in the first part of this course, are artificial satellite systems that can physically interact with another orbiting object by using actively controlled on board mechanisms that enable grasping, manipulation and mobility: a paradigmatic example is an artificial satellite equipped with an onboard robotic manipulator. Highlighted applications of orbital robotics systems include On-orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing, and space debris removal. 

Distributed Space Systems, that are covered in the second part of this course, are artificial satellite systems that occupy a region considerably larger than the one pertaining to a single traditional artificial satellite while maintaining a co-orbital flight condition with respect to a planetary central body or equilibrium point. Examples of Distributed Space Systems are Formation Flying Satellites, Tethered Satellites and Very Large Satellite Systems (of dimensions of order of magnitude of hundreds of meters to kilometers). Highlighted applications of Distributed Space Systems include: high-resolution Earth or astronomic observation, and collection and retransmission of solar power. 

This course will transfer knowledge of analytical methods and formulation practices for developing mathematical models of motion for classes of Orbital Robotics and Distributed Space Systems, under the effect of both environmental actions as well as actions by on-board actuators, such as thrusters and momentum exchange devices. Furthermore, the course will build comprehension of how these mathematical models of motion are used for the synthesis of autonomous guidance, navigation and control algorithms that enable the execution of translational, rotational and reconfiguration maneuvers to achieve specific mission capabilities. Finally, the course will develop comprehension on how software libraries are coded and used to perform numerical simulations to study the physical phenomenon of motion in specific instances of Orbital Robotics and Distributed Space Systems, and to assess the performance of selected guidance, navigation and control logics during specific maneuver scenarios. Examples will be considered of space systems encompassing current and emerging space technology solutions, and of maneuver scenarios pertaining to real space missions, either previously flown or planned.