Ka-band integrated range and bearing-angle formation sensor called the Autonomous Formation Flying (AFF) Sensor has been developed to enable deep-space formation flying of multiple spacecraft. The AFF Sensor concept is similar to that of the Global Positioning System (GPS), but the AFF Sensor would not use the GPS. The AFF Sensor would reside in radio transceivers and signal-processing subsystems aboard the formation-flying spacecraft. A version of the AFF Sensor has been developed for initial application to the two-spacecraft StarLight optical-interferometry mission, and several design investigations have been performed. From the prototype development, it has been concluded that the AFF Sensor can be expected to measure distances and directions with standard deviations of 2 cm and 1 arc minute, respectively, for spacecraft separations ranging up to about 1 km. It has also been concluded that it is necessary to optimize performance of the overall mission through design trade-offs among the performance of the AFF Sensor, the field of view of the AFF Sensor, the designs of the spacecraft and the scientific instruments that they will carry, the spacecraft maneuvers required for formation flying, and the design of a formation-control system.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Ka-Band Autonomous Formation Flying Sensor


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    2004-07-01


    Type of media :

    Miscellaneous


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English






    2.0204 Technology Validation of the Autonomous Formation Flying Sensor for Precision Formation Flying

    Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2003


    Autonomous formation flying sensor for the Starlight Mission

    Purcell, G. / Young, L. / Vozoff, M. et al. | NTRS | 2001


    Autonomous formation flying sensor for the Star Light Mission

    Aung, M. / Purcell, G. / Tien, J. et al. | NTRS | 2002