LAUSR

Abstract The finite-time controller under safe constraint is designed for the non-cooperative space autonomous rendezvous and docking by using the artificial potential function. To facilitate the establishment of the obstacle avoidance model, the elliptic cissoid is used to describe the final approaching corridor. Combining the model with the artificial potential function, a sliding mode surface that is finite-time stable is first developed to dealing with the problem of collision avoidance. Then, the finite-time controller that can make the chaser spacecraft do not collide with other space objects around the non-cooperative target spacecraft and large stationary physical attachments of the non-cooperative target spacecraft is proposed. Finally, the validity of the controller is proved by numerical simulations.