Plume Impingement Module for Autonomous Proximity Operations

Successfully executing proximity operations in space, such as docking or in-orbit servicing, requires spacecraft that can intelligently plan and react to the environment in real time. One of the most severe risks during proximity operations is the plume from one spacecraft’s thrusters impinging on another. These high-speed plumes can break components, melt materials, contaminate sensitive surfaces, and spin the vehicle out of control, which may result in catastrophic consequences, such as loss of mission or even loss of crew. Currently, rounds of time-consuming and expensive ground-based analyses are required to design a controller that meets plume impingement constraints, and no onboard warning systems exist. In this Phase I effort, an innovative plume impingement module is designed for autonomous onboard control. This novel algorithm uses an engineering flowfield model of high-fidelity plume simulations and simplified impingement equations. The proposed approach captures complex plume interactions in an accurate and efficient manner. The module then outputs quantities of interest and tracks constraints so that the connected controller can be optimized, or the onboard system can react to risks in real time. The culmination of this effort will deliver working preliminary software of the plume impingement module, a feasibility study, and documentation. Modular plume impingement software has a wide range of NASA and commercial applications including ground-based controller development, onboard mission design, and real-time control. In particular, the module is immediately useful for orbital debris mitigation, space station proximity operations, Artemis Orion and Gateway safety improvements, and deep space or Mars missions.