Related papers: Autonomous orbit determination for satelite format…
Spacecraft pose estimation is an essential computer vision application that can improve the autonomy of in-orbit operations. An ESA/Stanford competition brought out solutions that seem hardly compatible with the constraints imposed on…
In order to make a pinpoint landing on the Moon, the spacecraft's navigation system must be accurate. To achieve the desired accuracy, navigational drift caused by the inertial sensors must be corrected. One way to correct this drift is to…
We study the nonlinear observability of a systems states in view of how well they are observable and what control inputs would improve the convergence of their estimates. We use these insights to develop an observability-aware…
The surge of deep-space probes makes it unsustainable to navigate them with standard radiometric tracking. Self-driving interplanetary satellites represent a solution to this problem. In this work, a full vision-based navigation algorithm…
A local positional system (LPS) is proposed, in which particles are launched at given velocities, and a sensor system measures the trajectory of particles in the platform frame. These measurements allow us to restore the position and…
Relativity is an integral part of positioning systems, and this is taken into account in today's practice by applying many "relativistic corrections" to computations performed using concepts borrowed from Galilean physics. A different,…
The heterogeneity of the small body population complicates the prediction of small body properties before the spacecraft's arrival. In the context of autonomous small body exploration, it is crucial to develop algorithms that estimate the…
Attitude sensors determine the spacecraft attitude through the sensing of an astronomical object, field or other phenomena. The Sun and fixed stars are the two primary astronomical sensing objects. Attitude sensors are critical components…
This paper presents a strategy for optimal manoeuvre design of multi-satellite formation flying in low Earth orbit environment, with the aim of providing a tool for mission operation design. The proposed methodology for formation flying…
The subtle influence of gravitational waves on the apparent positioning of celestial bodies offers novel observational windows. We calculate the expected astrometric signal induced by an isotropic Stochastic Gravitational Wave Background…
Signals of opportunity (SOPs) are a promising technique that can be used for relative positioning in areas where global navigation satellite system (GNSS) information is unreliable or unavailable. This technique processes features of the…
Accurate orbit modeling plays a key role in contemporary and future space missions such as GRACE and its successor GRACE-FO, GNSS, and altimetry missions. To fully exploit the technological capabilities and correctly interpret measurements,…
A solar sail is one of the most promising space exploration system because of its theoretically infinite specific impulse using solar radiation pressure (SRP). Recently, some researchers proposed "transformable spacecrafts" that can…
Predicting the safety of urban roads for navigation via global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) signals is considered. To ensure safe driving of automated vehicles, the vehicle must plan its trajectory to avoid navigating on unsafe roads…
Construction of the precise shape of an asteroid is critical for spacecraft operations as the gravitational potential is determined by spatial mass distribution. The typical approach to shape determination requires a prolonged mapping phase…
This paper presents the development and evaluation of an optimization-based autonomous trajectory planning algorithm for the asteroid reconnaissance phase of a deep-space exploration mission. The reconnaissance phase is a low-altitude flyby…
The determination of the full population of Resident Space Objects (RSOs) in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is a key issue in the field of space situational awareness that will only increase in importance in the coming years. We endeavour to…
The hand-eye measurements have recently been proven to be very efficient for spacecraft attitude determination relative to an ellipsoidal asteroid. However, recent method does not guarantee full attitude observability for all conditions.…
In this paper, a new parametrization of the relative motion between two satellites orbiting a central body is presented. The parametrization is based on the nodal elements: a set of angles describing the orbit geometry with respect to the…
Recent studies of optimization methods and GNC of spacecraft near small bodies focusing on descent, landing, rendezvous, etc., with key safety constraints such as line-of-sight conic zones and soft landings have shown promising results;…