Autonomous navigation methods for spacecraft formation flying in cislunar space

Abstract

Abstract. Due to the increasing number of deep space missions in the following years, the focus on methods and strategies that enable a spacecraft to perform critical operations autonomously is becoming crucial. In the context of cislunar space, this research aims to investigate state estimation methods for such a highly nonlinear dynamics environment in order to identify the best operational scenarios and constraints that enable accurate performance for autonomous spacecraft navigation. In particular, the LiAISON navigation method is considered in the context of a formation of satellites moving in cislunar space exploiting the presence of other cooperative satellites to exchange inter-satellite signals to get range measurements.