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Frontiers of Engineering Reports on Leading-Edge Engineering from the 2015 Symposium (2016) / Chapter Skim
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Sensing Controls for Space-based Planet Finding-Jonathan T. Black
Pages 63-68

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From page 63...
... This paper presents the cutting edge in sensing controls for formation flying and satellite proximity operations with a focus on enabling autonomy for small satellites, and discusses current challenges and limitations on advances that are required to apply those technologies to space-based planet-finding missions, recent work in the field, and long-term challenges. BACKGROUND NASA recently commissioned two studies to produce exoplanet direct imaging design reference missions (DRMs)
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From page 64...
... SMALL SATELLITE PROXIMITY OPERATIONS AND FORMATION FLYING Automated proximity operations (proxops) have enabled new mission capabilities and enhanced space situational awareness, but additional technology development was needed for exoplanet direct imaging.
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From page 65...
... Image courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech (NASA 2015a, Figure 6.3-2)
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From page 66...
... The results, samples of which are shown in Figures 4 and 5, pave the way for automated proxops on platforms as small as a CubeSat. Autonomous state estimation and control, which mathematically represent physical quantities such as position and velocity, are also key technology enablers of the precision formation flying operations required for exoplanet direct imaging.
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From page 67...
... The relative motion model for the deputy satellite with respect to the chief 2 is well approximated using a fully nonlinear state transition matrix. Control is applied in the in-track and cross-track directions, making this system underactuated but reachable for any formation flying orbit.
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From page 68...
... FUTURE CHALLENGES AND DIRECTIONS The sensing controls required to enable the precision formation flying of starshades and observatories tens of thousands of kilometers apart in deep space are an extreme engineering challenge. The current state-of-the-art technology development in formation flying and spacecraft autonomy for small satellites needs to be adapted for exoplanet direct imaging missions to ensure mission success.
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Key Terms

  • direct imaging
  • exoplanet direct
  • sensing controls
  • proximity operations
  • monocular slam

  • satellite proximity
  • precision formation
  • imaging missions
  • space technology
  • deep space

  • monocular simultaneous
  • orbital express
  • slam method
  • denote features
  • simultaneous localization

  • kalman filter
  • features detected
  • relative motion
  • state estimation
  • starshades dozens

  • include direct
  • control produces
  • jet propulsion
  • imaging design
  • orbital rendezvous

  • unscented kalman
  • approximated using
  • enabling autonomy
  • definition team
  • flying automated


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