A Study of an Autonomous Unknown Landmark Tracking Navigation System

摘要

A prime candidate for autonomous space navigation is unknown landmark tracking. An Aerospace Corporation digital computer program called ONAP (Orbit Navigation Analysis Program) was used for a simulation study of autonomous unknown landmark tracking. This program employs a sequential filter and provides both error analysis and Monte Carlo simulation capabilities. It also allows for the inclusion of all significant error sources, i.e., initial landmark location errors, instrument errors, attitude errors, geopotential and atmospheric model errors, and initial condition errors. The study included the generation of algorithms to avoid numerical problems resulting from limited state vector observability. Various successful initialization schemes were considered, including the one recommended by Bellantoni. A baseline system with all error sources considered was studied and found to be feasible if the proper algorithm was selected. (Author)