Abstract
Attitude determination, along with attitude control, is critical to functioning of every space mission. In this paper, we investigate and compare, through simulation, the application of two autonomous sequential attitude estimation algorithms, adopted from the literature, for attitude determination using attitude sensors (sun sensor and horizon sensors) and rate-integrating gyros. The two algorithms are: the direction cosine matrix (DCM) based steady-state Kalman Filter, and the classic quaternion-based Extended Kalman Filter. To make the analysis realistic, as well as to improve the attitude determination accuracies, detailed sensor measurement models are developed. Modifications in the attitude determination algorithms for estimation of additional states to account for sensor biases and misalignments are presented. A modular six degree-of-freedom closed-loop simulation, developed in house, is used to observe and compare the performances of the attitude determination algorithms.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Markley, F.L.: Spacecraft attitude determination methods. In: Israel Annual Conference on Aerospace Sciences (2000)
Markley, F.L., Reynolds, R.G.: Analytic steady-state accuracy of a spacecraft attitude estimator. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics 23(6), 1065–1067 (2000)
Leerts, E.J., Markley, F.L., Shuster, M.D.: Kalman ltering for spacecraft attitude estimation. Journal of Guidance 5(5), 417–429 (1982)
Pittelkau, M.E.: Kalman filtering for spacecraft system alignment calibration. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics 24(6), 1187–1195 (2001)
Wertz, J.R. (ed.): Spacecraft Attitude Determination and Control. Computer Sciences Corporation (1978)
Sidi, M.J.: Spacecraft Dynamics and Control. Cambridge University Press (1997)
Hablani, H.B.: Autonomous inertial relative navigation with sight-line-stabilized integrated sensors for spacecraft rendezvous. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics 32(1) (2009)
Joshi, J., et al.: Conceptual design report - ADCS, PRATHAM. Technical report, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (2009)
Alex, T.K., Shrivastava, S.K.: On-board corrections of systematic errors of earth sensors. IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems 25(3), 373–379 (1989)
Alex, T.K., Seshamani, R.: Generation of infrared earth radiance for attitude determination. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics 12(2), 257–277 (1989)
Hablani, H.B.: Roll/pitch determination with scanning horizon sensors - oblateness and altitude corrections. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics 18(6), 1355–1364 (1995)
Tekawy, J.A., Wang, P., Gray, C.W.: Scanning horizon sensor attitude corrections for earth oblateness. Journal of Guidance, Control and Dynamics 19(3), 706–708 (1996)
Hashmall, J.A., Sedlak, J., Andrews, D., Luquette, R.: Empirical correction for earth sensor horizon radiance variation. In: Proceedings, AAS/GSFC 13th International Symposium on Space Flight Dynamics, Goddard Space Flight Center,Greenbelt, Maryland (May 1998)
Phenneger, M.C., Singhal, S.P., Lee, T.H., Stengle, T.H.: Infrared horizon sensor modeling for attitude determination and control: analysis and mission experience. NASA technical memorandum. National Aeronautics and Space Administration,Scientific and Technical Information Branch (1985)
Crassidis, J.L., Markley, F.L., Kyle, A.M., Kull, K.: Attitude determination improvements for GOES. In: Proceedings, Flight Mechanics/ Estimation Theory Symposium, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, NASA Conference Publication 3333, pp. 161–175 (May 1996)
STD 16, EADS Sodern Earth Sensor Brochure, www.sodern.com/sites/docs_wsw/RUB_52/STD16.pdf
Deutschmann, J., Bar-Itzhack, I.Y.: Extended kalman filter for the attitude estimation of the earth radiation budget satellite. In: Proceedings, Flight Me chanics/Estimation Theory Symposium, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, NASA Conference Publication 3050, pp. 333–346 (1989)
ISRO Oceansat-2 Brochure. Oceansat-2-Brochure-1.pdf, http://www.isro.org/pslv-c14/pdf/
Hughes, P.C.: Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics. Dover Publications (2004)
Crassidis, J., Junkins, J.: Optimal Estimation of Dynamic Systems. Chapman & Hall/CRC Applied Mathematics and Nonlinear Science Series. Chapman &Hall/CRC (2004)
Sedlak, J.: Improved earth sensor performance using a sequentially correlated noise model. In: Proceedings, Flight Mechanics Symposium, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, NASA Conference Publication, pp. 71–83 (May 1999)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2015 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Unhelkar, V.V., Hablani, H.B. (2015). Spacecraft Attitude Determination with Sun Sensors, Horizon Sensors and Gyros: Comparison of Steady-State Kalman Filter and Extended Kalman Filter. In: Choukroun, D., Oshman, Y., Thienel, J., Idan, M. (eds) Advances in Estimation, Navigation, and Spacecraft Control. ENCS 2012. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-44785-7_22
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-44785-7_22
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-662-44784-0
Online ISBN: 978-3-662-44785-7
eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)