Real-Time Determination of Relative Position Between Satellites Using Laser Ranging

Abstract

We made a study on real-time determination method for relative position using the laser-measured distance data between satellites. We numerically performed the determination of relative position in accordance with extended Kalman filter algorithm using the vectors obtained through nonlinear equation of relative motion, laser simulator for distance measurement, and attitude determination of chief satellite. Because the spherical parameters of relative distance and direction are used, there occur some changes in precision depending on changes in relative distance when determining the relative position. As a result of simulation, it was possible to determine the relative position with several millimeter-level errors at a distance of 10 km, and sub-millimeter level errors at a distance of 1 km. In addition, we performed the determination of relative position assuming the case that global positioning system data was not received for long hours to see the impact of determination of chief satellite orbit on the determination of relative position. The determination of precise relative position at a long distance carried out in this study can be used for scientific mission using the satellite formation flying.

A Satellite Relative Navigation based on Hardware Characteristics of Femtosecond Laser

“…The simulation adopts the laserbased relative navigation algorithm of Jung et al [6] ICMIE 119-4 Figure 4 shows the root mean square (RMS) values for errors of relative position and velocity in three-dimensional space. Grey lines are results using existing laser data and black lines are results using the revised data.…”

“…A hardware-in-the-loop simulator (HILS) was designed as a test-bed to simulate space missions with GPS signal and laser ranging data [4][5]. A relative navigation algorithm based on laser ranging was developed [6]. Recently, a laser-based relative navigation algorithm using GPS measurements [7] and an improved GPS-based algorithm using laser distance measurements [8] have been developed.…”

Improved GPS-based Satellite Relative Navigation Using Femtosecond Laser Relative Distance Measurements

“…To describe this phenom Scale Factor (SF; κ) of relative velocity was applied to the laser measurement model. We set SF to − based on the work of Jung et al (2012), who investigated empirical femtosecond laser measureme simulations. The laser measurement model ( ) was considered to be a function of and ̇ ( al.…”

“…The relative velocity between spacecraft mainly affects measure measuring latency that occurs from the low-pass-filter in the SWI algorithm. To des Scale Factor (SF; κ) of relative velocity was applied to the laser measurement mod based on the work of Jung et al (2012), who investigated empirical femtosecond simulations. The laser measurement model ( ) was considered to be a function al.…”

“…We set SF to −5.15e −3 , based on the work of Jung et al (2012), who investigated empirical femtosecond laser measurement data simulations. The laser measurement model ( ) was considered to be a function of and ̇ (Jung et al 2012), and is expressed as:…”