Orbit determination techniques used during the highly successful flight of Mariner 10 to Venus and Mercury are presented. Comparisons are made between different data sets, different sets of parameters, and between a conventional least squares batch filter and a sequential batch filter and smoother that was designed for this mission. The sequential filter was able to account for small spacecraft forces that the batch filter was unable to handle effectively, and hence, contributed greatly to the mission success. The sequential filter and smoother design is given as well as results for each phase of the mission.-
Navigation of the Mariner 10 spacecraft to Venus and Mercury
Mechanics and Control of Flight Conference ; 1974 ; Anaheim, CA
1974-08-01
Conference paper
No indication
English