Sensor data fusion for precise orbit determination of interplanetary spacecraft

Abstract

Robotic missions devoted to the exploration of celestial bodies in the solar system are designed to conduct high-risk operations during orbital, descent/landing, and rendezvous phases. To accomplish challenging science objectives and demanding navigation tasks, deep-space probes host onboard sensors that provide highly accurate measurements for their localization in an extra-terrestrial environment. We present the configuration of a navigation system, including hardware and software architecture, that enables a precise navigation of a SmallSat in a low-altitude orbit about the Moon. The onboard sensors include a radio tracking system to acquire inter-satellite radiometric data, a LiDAR and a visible-wavelength optical camera that collects measurements associated with the relative distance of the probe with respect to the celestial body’s surface. The approach presented in this study is well-suited for conducting a joint analysis of radio tracking, altimetry, and imaging data. This involves real-time filtering to achieve precise absolute navigation of a robotic system.