Autonomous Navigation Technology, Phase 1 Final Report

摘要

The design and development of a critical component for autonomous orbit navigation is summarized. The previously developed autonomous navigation system design relies on a combined star and unknown landmark tracker (SLANT) for the precision updates required. The design and development of the SLANT was accomplished with parallel development efforts on the optical, mechanical and electronic components of the tracker. Each component development effort included a test program to verify achievement of the performance required. The components were successfully developed and integrated into an engineering model of SLANT. Software was developed for a CDC 1700 laboratory computer to provide operational support for SLANT and to run a SLANT system test. The software and laboratory test setup was used to demonstrate SLANT functional performance.