Deep-Space Optical Navigation Exploiting Multiple Beacons

F Topputo,V Franzese

doi:10.1007/s40295-022-00303-5

Abstract

Ground facilities relying on traditional radiometric tracking are reaching saturation due to the growth of satellites launched into space. As such, autonomous navigation is one of the main enabling technologies for sustainable deep-space missions. This paper tackles the deep-space optical navigation problem exploiting multiple beacons to estimate the observer position independently from ground. The paper derives the least-squares solution and the analytical covariance to the deep-space navigation problem exploiting multiple beacons. The perturbations in the line-of-sight directions as well as in the objects ephemeris are incorporated into the covariance formulation. Then, the geometrical interpretation of the perturbations models, the navigation solution, and the navigation covariance are elaborated. The sensitivity of the navigation accuracy to the number of beacons is assessed by virtue of a test case, showing the correspondence between the numerical and the analytical solutions. Eventually, the paper shows the comparison of the navigation accuracy exploiting multiple beacons against two optimal beacons.

Highlights

Traditional ground-based navigation methods are becoming unsustainable as the space sector is evolving
Previous works from the authors have shown that a minimum of two beacons lineof-sight directions are required for the deep-space navigation solution, and a selection criteria to assess the optimal couple of beacons that yields the highest accuracy in the navigation solution has been derived [9]
The authors want to investigate the quality of the navigation solution in presence of multiple beacons and compare it with the two optimal beacons case

Summary

Introduction

Traditional ground-based navigation methods are becoming unsustainable as the space sector is evolving. Previous works from the authors have shown that a minimum of two beacons lineof-sight directions are required for the deep-space navigation solution, and a selection criteria to assess the optimal couple of beacons that yields the highest accuracy in the navigation solution has been derived [9]. Inspired by this mechanism, the authors want to investigate the quality of the navigation solution in presence of multiple beacons and compare it with the two optimal beacons case.

Problem Formulation

Least Squares Solution

Perturbation Models

Covariance Analysis

Navigation Solution

Test Case

Least Squares and Optimal Beacons

Conclusions