Analytical Methods in Triangulation-Based Celestial Localization

Optical measurements are a key part of modern interplanetary navigation. This work applies the statistically optimal Linear Optimal Sine Triangulation (LOST) algorithm to the problem of celestial navigation. In addition to optimal triangulation methods, celestial navigation requires the consideratio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Journal of the astronautical sciences Vol. 70; no. 5
Main Authors Henry, Sébastien, Christian, John A.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published New York Springer US 14.09.2023
Subjects
Aerospace Technology and Astronautics
Engineering
Mathematical Applications in the Physical Sciences
Original Article
Space Exploration and Astronautics
Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics
Optical navigation
Triangulation
Space exploration
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Summary:Optical measurements are a key part of modern interplanetary navigation. This work applies the statistically optimal Linear Optimal Sine Triangulation (LOST) algorithm to the problem of celestial navigation. In addition to optimal triangulation methods, celestial navigation requires the consideration of target ephemeris errors, light aberration, and light time-of-flight. In most cases, only light aberration and light time-of-flight change the expected direction of the measured line-of-sight. These effects are found to be non-negligible at typical observer velocities (for light aberration) and planet velocities (for light time-of-flight). The effects of the position uncertainty of planets are only important when the observer is close to them. The LOST framework provides a mechanism to conveniently consider all of these effects.
ISSN:2195-0571
2195-0571
DOI:10.1007/s40295-023-00402-x