Bearings-Only Initial Relative Orbit Determination

Abstract

A method for performing bearings-only initial relative orbit determination of a nearby space object in the absence of any information regarding the space object's geometry and relative orbit is presented. To resolve the range ambiguity characteristic of a single optical sensor system, a second optical sensor is included at a known baseline distance on the observing spacecraft. To formulate an initial estimate of the space object's relative orbit and its associated uncertainty, the angle measurements from both sensors are used to bound a region for all possible relative positions of the space object. A parameterized probability distribution in relative position that reflects uniform relative range uncertainty across the bounded region is constructed at two unique times. Linkage of the positional distributions is performed using a second-order relative Lambert solver to formulate a full-state probability density function in relative position and velocity, which can be further refined through processing subsequent measurement data in a Bayesian framework.

Time and Covariance Threshold Triggered Optimal Uncooperative Rendezvous Using Angles-Only Navigation

“…For these reasons, autonomous vehicles using AON are currently an active area of research [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. The growing interest in vision-based autonomous rendezvous and docking has produced a series of experimental spacecraft in an attempt to develop rendezvous and proximity operations technology that would be 2 International Journal of Aerospace Engineering more appropriate for small satellite.…”

“…In rigorous terms, the navigation problem becomes observable only in the presence of orbit control maneuvers, which change the relative orbit geometry of the observation [11]. Woffinden and Geller [6,7] and Grzymisch and Fichter [14] separately derived an observability criterion for AON and optimized a single-pulse maneuver to minimize estimation error in relative range direction.…”

Case Study: Feasibility Analysis of Close-in Proximity Operations Using Angles-only Navigation

“…It is worth mentioning that using AON in autonomous vehicles is currently a hot research subject. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] The growing interest in vision-based autonomous rendezvous and docking has not only resulted in the proposal of experimental satellite missions, but has also resulted in the development of close-rendezvous technology for small satellites. PRISMA 15) is the in-orbit test bed for AON technology.…”

“…Once having the capability of orbit maneuvers, it will be possible to change the relative orbit geometry from the observer to the target. 11) Woffinden and Geller 6,7) and Grzymisch and Walter 14) separately derived some different observability criterion for AON. Spurmann 19) proposed the spiraling maneuver method to cover the transition gap from absolute to determine the relative position.…”