An approach to conducting observations of non-trackable objects utilizing the Spartan spacecraft

The approach taken in the design of the guidance and navigation system for a 48-hour observation of Halley's Comet near perihelion passage, utilizing the SPARTAN 200 series carrier, is discussed. Autonomous vehicle navigation techniques that utilized solar sensors, a single star tracker, a 3-axis gyro package, and two independent cooperative microprocessors are described. While the Spartan-Halley spacecraft was destroyed during the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion, it is believed that the present approach has considerable potential for application to future missions that require autonomous control to perform scientific observations of nontrackable moving targets.