Comparison of Nonlinear Filters for an Autonomous Lunar Mission using Existing Navigation Techniques
Graduation Semester and Year
2018
Language
English
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
First Advisor
Kamesh Subbarao
Abstract
Navigation systems play an important role for autonomous spacecraft. Earth based navigation systems such as GPS provide accurate positioning for orbiting spacecraft. In the case of lunar orbit, GPS is not available so other navigation techniques have to be used. This thesis proposes a novel idea to use Laser Ranging Retroreflectors, placed on the Moon's surface during the Apollo program, as a means of providing position information to an orbiting autonomous spacecraft. An Inertial Navigation System consisting of fusion of LRRR position data and Inertial Measurement Unit providing gyro and accelerometer data will be utilized during orbit about the Moon. Prior arriving in a lunar orbit, celestial navigation using the stars will provide positioning information as the vehicle translates along a lunar intercept path. The entire lunar operational profile will be evaluated using nonlinear filter techniques (Extended Kalman Filter and Unscented Kalman Filter). Trade-offs between filter accuracy, computational cost and ease of implementation will be assessed.
Keywords
Celestial navigation, Cislunar navigation, Lunar navigation, Extended Kalman Filter, Unscented Kalman Filter, Laser ranging retroreflector
Disciplines
Aerospace Engineering | Engineering | Mechanical Engineering
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Shaver, Matthew David, "Comparison of Nonlinear Filters for an Autonomous Lunar Mission using Existing Navigation Techniques" (2018). Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses. 830.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/mechaerospace_theses/830
Comments
Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington