Guidance, navigation, and control trades for an Electric Orbit Transfer Vehicle
Abstract
The USAF Space Division initiated the Electric Insertion Transfer Experiment (ELITE) in the fall of 1988. The ELITE space mission is planned for the mid 1990s and will demonstrate technological readiness for the development of operational solar-powered electric orbit transfer vehicles (EOTVs). To minimize the cost of ground operations, autonomous flight is desirable. Thus, the guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) functions of an EOTV should reside on board. In order to define GNC requirements for ELITE, parametric trades must be performed for an operational solar-powered EOTV so that a clearer understanding of the performance aspects is obtained. Parametric trades for the GNC subsystems have provided insight into the relationship between pointing accuracy, transfer time, and propellant utilization. Additional trades need to be performed, taking into account weight, cost, and degree of autonomy.
- Publication:
-
AIAA Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference
- Pub Date:
- 1990
- Bibcode:
- 1990gnc..conf.1276Z
- Keywords:
-
- Orbit Transfer Vehicles;
- Solar Electric Propulsion;
- Spacecraft Control;
- Spacecraft Guidance;
- Autonomous Navigation;
- Satellite Attitude Control;
- Spacecraft Maneuvers;
- Spacecraft Performance;
- Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command and Tracking