Hardware-In-The-Loop Ground Experimental System of Lunar Orbit Docking for Sample Return.

Lunar orbit docking mechanisms and their ground experiments are very important for Lunar sampling return mission. To experiment the docking mechanisms and validate the docking initial conditions, a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) ground experimental system for Lunar orbit docking simulation is established. The docking mechanisms are real hardware used in space, while two spacecraft including the ascender and the orbiter-returner are replaced by numerical simulation models. Through the real-time closed-loop simulation between the hardware and numerical simulation, the experimental system can emulate the Lunar orbit docking dynamic process. An accuracy compensation algorithm is presented. Some experiments on a rod-frame device and the real docking mechanisms are given.