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ORBITAL HANDSHAKE

TECHNICAL PROJECT / Dual Quaternion GNC for ISS-Class Docking

An autonomous spacecraft docking simulation implementing dual quaternion-based Guidance, Navigation and Control for precision docking with an International Space Station (ISS)-class target.

2026_06

Source code ↗

Challenge

Achieve accurate six-degree-of-freedom docking while simultaneously satisfying strict translational and rotational alignment constraints throughout the terminal approach.

Approach

Developed a unified dual quaternion control architecture that continuously regulates relative position and attitude during rendezvous and docking. The controller minimizes docking errors while ensuring smooth, stable terminal guidance.

Outcome

Validated a complete autonomous docking strategy capable of performing coordinated six-degree-of-freedom approach maneuvers with high precision, demonstrating the advantages of dual quaternion control for complex spacecraft rendezvous and docking missions.

Tools

PythonNumPySciPy

Roadmap

  1. Dual Quaternion GNC for ISS-Class Docking

    An autonomous spacecraft docking simulation implementing dual quaternion-based Guidance, Navigation and Control for precision docking with an International Space Station (ISS)-class target.

    Completed

MISSION CONSOLE / BROWSER RUN

ORBITAL HANDSHAKE

Browser model · assumptions shown

Run a planar Clohessy–Wiltshire relative-motion approach with bounded control and a keep-out zone. The model runs locally in this browser; it does not execute unpublished source code.

INITIAL CONDITIONS / MODEL PARAMETERS

SCHEMATIC 3D / DRAG TO ROTATE

Illustrative geometry; not the original CAD model.

Adjust the conditions, then run the simulation.

Model assumptions and limits

RELATED / SHARED TECHNOLOGIES

LAST LIGHT

GNC Completed

LAST LIGHT ↗

TECHNICAL PROJECT / Robust 6-DOF Guidance, Navigation and Control for Autonomous Powered Descent Under Wind, Navigation Uncertainty and Partial Actuator Degradation

The objective is to recover a six-degree-of-freedom vehicle from an initially descending, laterally displaced and deliberately tilted state, reject atmospheric wind and sensor uncertainty, command thrust and two-axis t…

Run simulation ↗

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