Radiometric Autonomous Navigation Fused with Optical for Deep Space Exploration

• Published in: The Journal of the astronautical sciences 2021-03, Vol.68 (1), p.300-325
• Main Authors: Ely, Todd A., Seubert, Jill, Bradley, Nicholas, Drain, Ted, Bhaskaran, Shyam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerospace Technology and Astronautics; Algorithms; Atomic clocks; Autonomous navigation; Deep space; Engineering; Mars; Mathematical Applications in the Physical Sciences; Original Article; Radio beacons; Radio navigation; Radio receivers; Space exploration; Space Exploration and Astronautics; Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics; Spacecraft
• ISSN: 0021-9142; 2195-0571
• DOI: 10.1007/s40295-020-00244-x

With the advent of the Deep Space Atomic Clock, operationally accurate and reliable one-way radiometric data sent from a radio beacon (i.e., a DSN antenna or other spacecraft ) and collected using a spacecraft’s radio receiver enables the development and use of autonomous radio navigation. This work examines the fusion of radiometric data with optical data (i.e. OpNav) to yield robust and accurate trajectory solutions that include selected model reductions and computationally efficient navigation algorithms that can be readily adopted for onboard, autonomous navigation. The methodology is characterized using a representative high-fidelity simulation of deep space cruise, approach, and delivery to Mars. The results show that the combination of the two data types yields solutions that are almost an order of magnitude more accurate than those obtained using each data type by itself. Furthermore, the combined data solutions readily meet representative entry navigation requirements (in this case at Mars).