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Results of NASA's First Autonomous Formation Flying Experiment: Earth Observing-1 (EO-1)NASA's first autonomous formation flying mission completed its primary goal of demonstrating an advanced technology called enhanced formation flying. To enable this technology, the Flight Dynamics Analysis Branch at the Goddard Space Flight Center implemented a universal 3-axis formation flying algorithm in an autonomous executive flight code onboard the New Millennium Program's (NMP) Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) spacecraft. This paper describes the mathematical background of the autonomous formation flying algorithm, the onboard flight design and the validation results of this unique system. Results from fully autonomous maneuver control are presented as comparisons between the onboard EO-1 operational autonomous control system called AutoCon, its ground-based predecessor used in operations, and the original standalone algorithm. Maneuvers discussed encompass reactionary, routine formation maintenance, and inclination control. Orbital data is also examined to verify that all formation flying requirements were met.
Document ID
20020067776
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Folta, David
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Hawkins, Albin
(AI Solutions, Inc. Lanham, MD United States)
Bauer, Frank
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2002
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Meeting Information
Meeting: AIAA/AAS Astodynamics Specialist Conference
Location: Monterey, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: August 5, 2002
End Date: August 8, 2002
Sponsors: American Astronomical Society, American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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