METHOD FOR INDEPENDENT DETERMINATION OF ORBIT AND ORIENTATION OF SPACECRAFT BODY IN SPACE WITHOUT PRIOR INFORMATION Russian patent published in 2015 - IPC G01C21/02 

FIELD: physics, navigation.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to independent spacecraft navigation and orientation systems. The method includes generating estimates of osculating orbital elements and orientation angles of the spacecraft relative to the axes of the current orbital coordinate system. These estimates are determined based on analysis of geocentric hodographs of the axes of the spacecraft which are obtained based on processing measurement results of coordinates of stars and luminosity thereof in an optoelectronic device which is rigidly mounted on the body of the spacecraft. The obtained estimates are used as prior information when solving navigation and orientation tasks on-board the spacecraft. The method restores operation of an independent navigation and orientation system during emergency launch of the spacecraft, or in case of other emergency situations associated with loss of prior (reference) information. Thus, the degree of independence and reliability of the on-board control system is improved and combat stability and the probability of executing a flight task are also improved.

EFFECT: broader functional capabilities.

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