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Spacecraft Alignment Determination and Control for Dual Spacecraft Precision Formation FlyingMany proposed formation flying missions seek to advance the state of the art in spacecraft science imaging by utilizing precision dual spacecraft formation flying to enable a virtual space telescope. Using precision dual spacecraft alignment, very long focal lengths can be achieved by locating the optics on one spacecraft and the detector on the other. Proposed science missions include astrophysics concepts with spacecraft separations from 1000 km to 25,000 km, such as the Milli-Arc-Second Structure Imager (MASSIM) and the New Worlds Observer, and Heliophysics concepts for solar coronagraphs and X-ray imaging with smaller separations (50m-500m). All of these proposed missions require advances in guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) for precision formation flying. In particular, very precise astrometric alignment control and estimation is required for precise inertial pointing of the virtual space telescope to enable science imaging orders of magnitude better than can be achieved with conventional single spacecraft instruments. This work develops design architectures, algorithms, and performance analysis of proposed GNC systems for precision dual spacecraft astrometric alignment. These systems employ a variety of GNC sensors and actuators, including laser-based alignment and ranging systems, optical imaging sensors (e.g. guide star telescope), inertial measurement units (IMU), as well as microthruster and precision stabilized platforms. A comprehensive GNC performance analysis is given for Heliophysics dual spacecraft PFF imaging mission concept.
Document ID
20170007450
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Presentation
Authors
Calhoun, Philip (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Novo-Gradac, Anne-Marie (NASA Headquarters Washington, DC United States)
Shah, Neerav (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2017
Publication Date
June 19, 2017
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN43445
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Workshop on Satellite Constellations and Formation Flying
Location: Boulder, CO
Country: United States
Start Date: June 19, 2017
End Date: June 21, 2017
Sponsors: Colorado Univ.
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
Virtual Telescope
Formation Flying

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