Relative Navigation Grid Projection for Spacecraft Attitude Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Relative navigation systems face challenges in determining both range and attitude between moving objects in harsh environments, such as space satellite capture and servicing, where minimal form factor and high reliability are crucial, and in applications like autonomous vehicle navigation, where low cost and high reliability are desired.
Innovation Solution
A relative navigation system comprising a grid generator that projects a grid of intersecting lines and a detector array on one object, which detects the grid and provides output to a controller on the other object to determine range and attitude, enabling continuous measurement and course corrections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional navigation systems are used to determine range and attitude between objects, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system is segmented into two functional components: a grid generator on one object that projects reference lines, and a detector array on the other object that measures grid intersections. This segmentation allows each component to be simpler while maintaining overall measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
A optical grid serves as an intermediary reference framework between the two objects. The grid lines act as virtual reference markers that enable range and attitude determination without requiring complex direct sensing between objects.
2Measurement precision
If traditional navigation systems are used to determine range and attitude between objects, then measurement capability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces heavy mechanical navigation instruments with optical components. The grid generator uses optical projection and the detector array uses optical sensing, eliminating the need for complex mechanical rangefinders, gyroscopes, and attitude sensors that would significantly increase weight.
3Reliability
If robust navigation systems are used for harsh environments, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grid generator automatically provides reference markers that are inherently tied to the object's own coordinate system. The detector array automatically detects these markers and computes range and attitude, creating a self-contained system that requires no external calibration or complex environmental compensation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system allows for precise determination of range and attitude between objects, facilitating proper orientation and docking, even in harsh environments, with a compact and reliable design suitable for various applications including space and aerial navigation.
Implementation Method 1
a laser device to generate a plurality of projected intersecting lines
Implementation Method 2
a detector module array with each detector module having a field of detection to detect a position of each of the projected intersecting lines within its field of detection
Data Source
AI summary
A relative navigation system projecting a grid into space from a first object a grid that is repeatedly detected from a second object having a second relative reference frame and using range and attitude between the objects to adjust the attitude or range of at least one of the first and second objects.