Modular self-reconfigurable spacecraft: Development status, key technologies, and application prospect.

Modular self-reconfigurable spacecraft (MSRS) are composed of homogeneous or heterogeneous modules that can autonomously achieve configuration transformation without external intervention. In this study, the research status and key technologies of MSRS are reviewed. First, the concepts of modular reconfigurable spacecraft (MRS) and MSRS are described, and the advantages of the latter are analyzed. Typical MSRS are then introduced. Furthermore, the key technologies of MSRS are analyzed from four aspects: assembly structure design technology, mission configuration optimization technology, self-reconfiguration planning technology, and attitude cooperative control technology. Finally, the future trends and development of MSRS are presented. These spacecraft are expected to play a vital role in the aerospace field. • This paper is the first review of the modular self-reconfigurable spacecraft. • This paper gives a definition of a modular self-reconfigurable spacecraft. • This paper provide a detailed analysis of the self-reconfiguration planning technology. • A future ground management control system based on parallel systems is introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]