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Error Analysis System for Spacecraft Navigation Using the Global Positioning System (GPS)The Flight Dynamics Division (FDD) at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is currently developing improved space-navigation filtering algorithms to use the Global Positioning System (GPS) for autonomous real-time onboard orbit determination. In connection with a GPS technology demonstration on the Small Satellite Technology Initiative (SSTI)/Lewis spacecraft, FDD analysts and programmers have teamed with the GSFC Guidance, Navigation, and Control Branch to develop the GPS Enhanced Orbit Determination Experiment (GEODE) system. The GEODE system consists of a Kalman filter operating as a navigation tool for estimating the position, velocity, and additional states required to accurately navigate the orbiting Lewis spacecraft by using astrodynamic modeling and GPS measurements from the receiver. A parallel effort at the FDD is the development of a GPS Error Analysis System (GEAS) that will be used to analyze and improve navigation filtering algorithms during development phases and during in-flight calibration. For GEAS, the Kalman filter theory is extended to estimate the errors in position, velocity, and other error states of interest. The estimation of errors in physical variables at regular intervals will allow the time, cause, and effect of navigation system weaknesses to be identified. In addition, by modeling a sufficient set of navigation system errors, a system failure that causes an observed error anomaly can be traced and accounted for. The GEAS software is formulated using Object Oriented Design (OOD) techniques implemented in the C++ programming language on a Sun SPARC workstation. The Phase 1 of this effort is the development of a basic system to be used to evaluate navigation algorithms implemented in the GEODE system. This paper presents the GEAS mathematical methodology, systems and operations concepts, and software design and implementation. Results from the use of the basic system to evaluate navigation algorithms implemented on GEODE are also discussed. In addition, recommendations for generalization of GEAS functions and for new techniques to optimize the accuracy and control of the GPS autonomous onboard navigation are presented.
Document ID
19970017197
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Abstract
Authors
Truong, S. H.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Hart, R. C.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Hartman, K. R.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Tomcsik, T. L.
(ECG, Inc. Vienna, VA United States)
Searl, J. E.
(ECG, Inc. Vienna, VA United States)
Bernstein, A.
(ECG, Inc. Vienna, VA United States)
Date Acquired
August 17, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 1997
Publication Information
Publication: Flight Mechanics Symposium 1997
Subject Category
Astrodynamics
Accession Number
97N19557
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS5-32956
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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