GNSS Based Precision Navigation for Re-entry Vehicles

Detlef Kayser

Abstract:	In this paper a precision navigation system for re-entry vehicles, which works on the basis of satellite range measurements (GPS/GLONASS from now on referred to as GNSS, Global Na- vigation Satellite Systems) and inertial measu- rements, will be discussed. The range measurement between GPS and the moving re-entry vehicle can be realized with ex- treme precision in quasi steady flight. During the acceleration phase, the range measurement loses accuracy and during the blackout phase a total breakdown of range measurement must be expected. On the other hand inertial sensors are submitted to unobservable drift (especially under high g-conditions) and bias effects. The combination of inertial and GPS measure- ments in a complementary filter can overcome the problem and provide a calibration of the system and a very precise measurement of ac- celerations, velocities and the position in all three dimensions. The precision navigation sy- stem can be applied to a re-entry vehicle for tasks such as validation of aerodynamic forces, tracking, in situ measurement of atmospheric data, measurements for re-entry control etc.. Several different aspects of the special conditi- ons onboard a russian re-entry capsule, in which the first mission of the navigation-system was supposed to take place, and their importance for the system are discussed.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 6th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1993) September 22 - 24, 1993 Salt Palace Convention Center Salt Lake City, UT
Pages:	327 - 333
Cite this article:	Kayser, Detlef, "GNSS Based Precision Navigation for Re-entry Vehicles," Proceedings of the 6th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1993), Salt Lake City, UT, September 1993, pp. 327-333.
Full Paper:	ION Members/Non-Members: 1 Download Credit Sign In