AUTONOMOUS ORBIT DETERMINATION USING IMAGE MOTION TRACKING

摘要

The paper presents a novel concept for autonomous navigation of satellites. The navigation method is based on tracking of surface images in the camera field of view. In contrast to the landmark navigation, it allows to reduce the amount of a priori image information. Realtime performances are ensured by a high speed onboard optical image processor, which can provide robust image motion measurement by performing a full image correlation. The proposed navigation system offers determination of both position and attitude and thereby, can be a basis for autonomy of satellite operations, which can be especially useful in planetary missions. The paper describes the working principles of the system, gives performance estimates for navigation and attitude accuracy for different planetary missions and considers system limitations. Estimated parameters of a possible realisation of the navigation system with currently available components are discussed.