Manned Control of Orbital Rendezvous

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Manned Control of Orbital Rendezvous

E. Levin / J. Ward

A device was assembled at The RAND Corporation to simulate the in-plane response of an orbiting space vehicle to applied thrusts. This simulator was used to study manned control of an orbital rendezvous maneuver. It was found that a pilot with appropriate display and controls could direct the extreme terminal portion of the rendezvous maneuver with great precision and flexibility. The fuel consumed during this 'docking' phase of the operation was a very small fraction of the total fuel required to rendezvous and consequently the comparative efficiency of a pilot and an automatic system was not regarded as a major consideration. It was also found that with training a pilot could successfully direct a rendezvous maneuver from large distances. However, properly designed automatic equipment would be significantly more efficient for this phase of the operation and it was concluded, therefore that the pilot's role in the distant closing phase of the rendezvous operation would be limited to override in case of equipment malfunction or in the event that an unusual maneuver seemed necessary. The use of a pilot appeared to be highly desirable for the extreme terminal phase of rendezvous where local decisions and fine vernier corrections might be required. (Author)