Leveraging neural network uncertainty in adaptive unscented Kalman Filter for spacecraft pose estimation

This paper introduces an adaptive Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-based Unscented Kalman Filter for the pose estimation of uncooperative spacecraft. The validation is carried out at Stanford's robotic Testbed for Rendezvous and Optical Navigation on the Satellite Hardware-In-the-loop Rendezvous Trajectories (SHIRT) dataset, which simulates...

Monocular Vision-Based Pose Estimation of Uncooperative Spacecraft

Activities in outer space have entered a new era of growth, fostering human development and improving key Earth-based applications such as remote sensing, navigation, and telecommunication. The recent creation of SpaceX's Starlink constellation as well as the steep increase in CubeSat launches are expected to revolutionize the way we use space...

On-ground validation of a CNN-based monocular pose estimation system for uncooperative spacecraft: Bridging domain shift in rendezvous scenarios

The estimation of the relative pose of an inactive spacecraft by an active servicer spacecraft is a critical task for close-proximity operations, such as In-Orbit Servicing and Active Debris Removal. Among all the challenges, the lack of available space images of the inactive satellite makes the on-ground validation of current monocular...

Evaluation of tightly- and loosely-coupled approaches in CNN-based pose estimation systems for uncooperative spacecraft

The relative pose estimation of an inactive spacecraft by an active servicer spacecraft is a critical task in the design of current and planned space missions, due to its relevance for close-proximity operations, such as In-Orbit Servicing and Active Debris Removal. This paper introduces a novel framework to enable robust monocular pose...

CNN-Based Pose Estimation System for Close-Proximity Operations Around Uncooperative Spacecraft

This paper introduces a novel framework which combines a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for feature detection with a Covariant Efficient Procrustes Perspective-n-Points (CEPPnP) solver and an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) to enable robust monocular pose estimation for close-proximity operations around an uncooperative spacecraft. The relative...

Comparative Assessment of Image Processing Algorithms for the Pose Estimation of Uncooperative Spacecraft

This paper reports on a comparative assessment of Image Processing (IP) tech- niques for the relative pose estimation of uncooperative spacecraft with a monocular camera. Currently, keypoints-based algorithms suffer from partial occlusion of the target, as well as from the different illumination conditions be- tween the required offline database...

Review of the robustness and applicability of monocular pose estimation systems for relative navigation with an uncooperative spacecraft

The relative pose estimation of an inactive target by an active servicer spacecraft is a critical task in the design of current and planned space missions, due to its relevance for close-proximity operations, i.e. the rendezvous with a space debris and/or in-orbit servicing. Pose estimation systems based solely on a monocular camera are...