ERMES: reduced-gravity testing of an autonomous docking manoeuvre between small satellites

Last decades, space applications and technological demonstrations involving small satellites have significantly increased. Many companies, which invest in developing miniaturized systems suitable for various space missions, are currently thriving in the so-called New Space Economy framework. As a consequence, the number of orbiting CubeSats has increased markedly. In this context, the University of Padova has shown a strong interest towards proximity operation systems for small autonomous satellites due to their effectiveness in several applications. The heritage of the University includes research in topics such as on-orbit servicing, active space debris removal, assembly of large in-space structures and flight formations control. Experimental Rendezvous in Microgravity Environment Study (ERMES) is a student project that has as its primary objective the design and test of an autonomous docking manoeuvre between two free-flying CubeSats mock-ups in a reduced gravity environment. The two mock-ups involved in the experiment are equipped both with a Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) system and miniaturized docking interfaces. During the manoeuvre, they work in a Target-Chaser configuration, where the Chaser is active while the Target is cooperative. The reduced gravity conditions are achieved by participating in the 79th ESA Parabolic Flight Campaign, following the selection for the "Fly Your Thesis! Programme" 2022. This thesis presents an overall picture of the ERMES project. It focuses firstly on framing the experiment in the current State Of Art (SOA) regarding autonomous docking manoeuvres; secondly on depicting the design of the experiment and the experimental procedure; and finally on discussing the outcome of the test campaign through results analysis.