Autonomous orbit determination system for earth satellites
Abstract
A new system for autonomous satellite navigation using only horizon trackers and star sensors is developed and investigated. Simulations employing performance characteristics of off-the-shelf hardware have demonstrated that the algorithm presented is capable of subkilometer accuracy. Unlike many previous studies, however, this system is not limited to the determination of an earth satellite's current position. By using a two-step technique combined with a general perturbations model, this method allows the air-drag effects on the orbit to be estimated and incorporated into future position predictions. This is accomplished via a simple, yet accurate, modification to the perturbation equations.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Guidance Control Dynamics
- Pub Date:
- June 1992
- DOI:
- 10.2514/3.20876
- Bibcode:
- 1992JGCD...15..562H
- Keywords:
-
- Autonomous Navigation;
- Computerized Simulation;
- Earth Orbits;
- Orbit Calculation;
- Satellite Tracking;
- Star Trackers;
- Global Positioning System;
- Monte Carlo Method;
- Satellite Perturbation;
- Space Station Freedom;
- Astrodynamics