Universal Lambert and Kepler algorithms for autonomous rendezvous
Abstract
This paper describes Lambert and Kepler algorithms designed to be the core of an autonomous rendezvous guidance system for an onboard computer. Applications include robotic and piloted missions to the moon and planets. Flight software must be compact, fast, and totally reliable. Although high accuracy is not essential for flight, in double precision these algorithms are accurate to at least 14 places almost everywhere. Both are universal; they apply to elliptic, parabolic, hyperbolic, and even rectilinear trajectories. The algorithms are improvements to those published by Battin (1987).
- Publication:
-
Astrodynamics 1989
- Pub Date:
- 1990
- Bibcode:
- 1990asdy.conf....1K
- Keywords:
-
- Airborne/Spaceborne Computers;
- Euler-Lambert Equation;
- Rendezvous Guidance;
- Rendezvous Trajectories;
- Flight Control;
- Manned Spacecraft;
- Mission Planning;
- Unmanned Spacecraft;
- Vax Computers;
- Astrodynamics