Design of Position, Velocity and Timing Algorithm Based on Multiple Data Sources for Mars Landing Application

Mattia Carosi, Laura De Leo and Daniele Musacchio

Abstract:	This paper discusses the emerging focus on sustainable navigation strategies for space exploration, particularly concerning future missions to Mars. Accurate navigation is critical for mission success and astronaut safety, and a satellite navigation system similar to existing terrestrial GNSS services could provide significant improvement in this kind of missions. This study proposes a positioning algorithm for Mars landings, utilizing a navigation satellite system in Mars orbit alongside data from an altimeter. A three-phase landing manoeuvre—Injection, Descending, and Landing— together with a guidance law for position control with a fixed attitude are considered. Overall, the study aims to develop an algorithm for estimating position, velocity and timing of a Mars lander, using a realistic mission profile and integrating data from additional on-board sensors to enhance accuracy. Finally, the performances of the PVT algorithm are provided for the given scenario.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 38th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS+ 2025) September 8 - 12, 2025 Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor Baltimore, Maryland
Pages:	644 - 656
Cite this article:	Carosi, Mattia, De Leo, Laura, Musacchio, Daniele, "Design of Position, Velocity and Timing Algorithm Based on Multiple Data Sources for Mars Landing Application," Proceedings of the 38th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS+ 2025), Baltimore, Maryland, September 2025, pp. 644-656. https://doi.org/10.33012/2025.20311
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