Performance of the square root information filter for navigation of the Mariner 10 spacecraft

摘要

The use is described of a sequential least squares filter in the orbit determination for the Mariner Venus-Mercury (Mariner 10) spacecraft. The orbit determination strategy outlining the use of both the sequential filter and a conventional batch filter is given. Highlighted are the mission events from launch to the first Mercury encounter with emphasis on the sequential filter performance. Advantages to the mission derived from the sequential filter are pointed out.