Particle Swarm Optimization Based Tracking Window Planning for Cislunar Orbiters Performing Autonomous Radiometric Navigation

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in lunar missions, particularly with the growing role of small satellites facilitated by piggyback launch opportunities. Typically, ground-based radiometric tracking is the workhorse to establish the necessary navigation solution in these missions, however, this could be expensive, while small...

Autonomous navigation for deep space small satellites: Scientific and technological advances

In recent years, there is a growing interest in small satellites for deep space exploration. The current approach for planetary navigation is based on ground-based radiometric tracking. A new era of low-cost small satellites for space exploration will require autonomous deep space navigation. This will decrease the reliance on ground-based...

Autonomous Crosslink Radionavigation for a Lunar CubeSat Mission

This study presents an autonomous orbit determination system based on crosslink radiometric measurements applied to a future lunar CubeSat mission to clearly highlight its advantages with respect to existing ground-based navigation strategies. This work is based on the Linked Autonomous Interplanetary Satellite Orbit Navigation (LiAISON) method...

Performance analysis of crosslink radiometric measurement based autonomous orbit determination for cislunar small satellite formations

Recent advances in space technology provide an opportunity for small satellites to be launched in cislunar space. However, tracking these small satellites still depends on ground-based operations. Autonomous navigation could be a possible solution considering the challenges presented by costly ground operations and limited onboard power...

Design and characterisation of a bi-modal solar thermal propulsion and power system for small satellites

Small satellites with increased capabilities in terms of power and propulsion are being demanded for future missions. This paper addresses an alternative bi-modal solution which consists of a solar thermal propulsion system coupled with a micro-Organic Rankine Cycle system, to co-generate thrust and electrical power. Current literature on bi...

Autonomous Mission Planning for OLFAR: A Satellite Swarm in Lunar Orbit for Radio Astronomy

Orbiting Low Frequency Array for Radio Astronomy (OLFAR) is a radio astronomy mission that has been studied since 2010 by several Dutch universities and research institutes. The mission aims at producing sky maps by collecting cosmic signals at ultra-low wavelengths regimes, below the 30 MHz frequency band. A satellite swarm comprising more than...

A roadmap towards a space-based radio telescope for ultra-low frequency radio astronomy

The past two decades have witnessed a renewed interest in low frequency radio astronomy, with a particular focus on frequencies above 30 MHz e.g., LOFAR (LOw Frequency ARray) in the Netherlands and its European extension ILT, the International LOFAR Telescope. However, at frequencies below 30 MHz, Earth-based observations are limited due to a...

Onboard autonomous mission re-planning for multi-satellite system

This paper presents an onboard autonomous mission re-planning system for Multi-Satellites System (MSS) to perform onboard re-planing in disruptive situations. The proposed re-planning system can deal with different potential emergency situations. This paper uses Multi-Objective Hybrid Dynamic Mutation Genetic Algorithm (MO-HDM GA) combined...

An analytical model for characterizing the thrust performance of a Low-Pressure Micro-Resistojet

There is a clear trend towards the developments of micro-propulsion system to enhance the capabilities of nano- and pico-satellites. A promising propulsion option to meet the strict requirements of these small satellites is the Low-Pressure Micro-Resistojet (LPM) which works under rarefied gas dynamic regime. To simplify the engineering...

Relative state estimation and observability for formation flying satellites in the presence of sensor noise

This paper presents an investigation into the relative state estimation and observability for two formation flying satellites using two different relative navigation sensor sets. The first set consists out of a transmitter antenna on one satellite and a single receiver antenna on the other satellite to measure the inter-satellite range using a...

Preliminary Analysis of a Novel SAR Based Emergency System for Earth Orbit Satellites using Galileo

This paper presents a preliminary analysis of a novel Search and Rescue (SAR) based emergency system for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites using the Galileo Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). It starts with a description of the space user SAR system including a concept description, mission architecture and legal and regulatory aspects....

Snapshot Software Receiver for GNSS in Weak Signal Environments: An Innovative Approach for Galileo E5

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning has turned out to be an enabler of Location-Based Services (LBS). This has motivated in recent years an increasing research activity on signal processing techniques for GNSS receivers. However, one main limitation faced by these GNSS receivers is the propagation of GNSS signals in complex...