Implementation of a Differential Geometric Filter for Spacecraft Formation Orbit Estimation

Abstract EN

The differential geometric filter is implemented to estimate the absolute and relative positions of the spacecraft in a formation.

The extended Kalman Filter is also implemented as a benchmark for the differential geometric estimation.

Only relative positions between the spacecraft are measured.

Relative positions are measured using a wireless local positioning system (WLPS) installed in all spacecraft.

Two different scenarios are studied: (1) the observations include WLPS measurements only and (2) the observations include WLPS measurements in addition to measurements for the absolute position of one spacecraft made by a radar that takes measurements from the earth’s surface.

Results show that the differential geometric estimation has better stability performance and a faster convergence rate compared to the extended Kalman filter.