Abstract: Space microgravity combination is an upgraded version of the tethered satellite system, a more powerful and prospective version for future applications. However, both the systems are beset with the same problem: if there is no preset control，the system′s motion is unstable. Therefore, an effective control algorithm has to be developed to make the system stable. Based on a simplified dynamic model of tethered satellite，the relationship between microgravity and dynamic inertia forces was used to deduce a very unique range rate control algorithm to stabilize the system concisely and productively. This algorithm can be applied to massdistributed, elastic and other more complex cases of tethered satellite control. It can also be successfully adopted to control inorbit rendezvous and docking missions of the space microgravity combination.

Key words: space combination, microgravity environment, tethered satellite system, rendezvous and docking, range rate control algorithm