ESA GNC Conference Papers Repository

The problem of autonomous integrated system development, based on utilization both optic-electronic sensors and multichannel Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver, is considered. The system development is designated for both navigation problem solution and actual thrust evaluation by a payload insertion into geostationary orbit (GEO) with electric propulsion system (EPS) assistance. The problem of integrated navigation system development is considered in this paper as the problem of the developed system operability analysis with the need of both navigation and EPS thrust evaluation accuracy provided in the vicinity of the reference insertion trajectory. The specific features of the mentioned trajectory are as follows: duration is between 150 – 300 days and flight altitude between 20000 – 60000 kilometres. The main specific feature of the developed system consists in the absence of any inertial sensors for actual EPS thrust vector evaluation. Meanwhile, the visibility analysis of the GNSS constellation satellites in the vicinity of the reference trajectory demonstrates an opportunity to use a number of visible satellites, which is sufficient for the required level of both navigation problem solution and thrust module/direction evaluation to provide the required accuracy of a payload insertion into GEO. The system property described is the result of both simultaneous adaptive and standard Kalman’s algorithms utilization. The mathematical simulation of the developed system operation has been used as a basic instrument for the system performance analysis. To implement the simulation process the specific object-oriented software has been developed. The set of disturbances is considered by simulation of measurement errors and other external disturbing factors. The results of simulation strictly prove the possibility to implement autonomous integrated system development, based on utilization of both optic-electronic sensors and a multichannel GNSS receiver.