Highlights An analytical model is proposed for the line-of-sight to a target satellite. The model includes the effect of non-homogeneous Earth mass distribution. Accuracy is verified against precise orbit determination products from PRISMA. Effectiveness is shown for far-range scenarios and one day long data arcs. This methodology is convenient for spaceborne applications.

    Abstract This work presents a precise analytical model to reconstruct the line-of-sight vector to a target satellite over time, as required by angles-only relative navigation systems for application to rendezvous missions. The model includes the effects of the geopotential, featuring: the analytical propagation in the mean relative orbital elements (up to second-order expansion), the analytical two-way osculating/mean orbital elements’ conversion (second-order in J 2 and up to a given degree and order of the geopotential), and a second-order mapping from the perturbed osculating elements’ set to the local orbital frame. Performances are assessed against the line-of-sight reconstructed out of the precise GPS-based positioning products of the PRISMA mission. The line-of-sight modelled over a far-range one day long scenario can be fitted against the true one presenting residuals of the order of ten arc-seconds, which is below the typical sensor noise at far-range.


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    Title :

    Precise line-of-sight modelling for angles-only relative navigation


    Contributors:
    Gaias, G. (author) / Ardaens, J.-S. (author) / Colombo, C. (author)

    Published in:

    Advances in Space Research ; 67 , 11 ; 3515-3526


    Publication date :

    2020-05-31


    Size :

    12 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




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