Theoretical Basis for State Vector Comparison, Relative Position Display, andRelative Position/Rendezvous Prediction

摘要

This thesis outlines the theoretical underpinnings used for the software designedto meet Detailed Technical Objectives 700-6 and 700-7 for the Space Shuttle Discovery mission STS-5 1. The primary goal was to compare state vector information produced by an on board GPS receiver and Discovery's computers, and provide real time display of the results. Because state vector information for the ORFEUS/SPAS payload was also available, relative position and rendezvous information between Discovery and ORFEUS/SPAS was made possible. Analysis of the various state vectors was used to produce a graphical display, in an operationally meaningful format, to the flight crew of Discovery.