Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerospace vehicle navigation and control system comprising a terrestrial illumination matching module for determining spacecraft position and attitude. The method permits aerospace vehicle position and attitude determinations using terrestrial lights using an Earth-pointing camera without the need of a dedicated sensor to track stars, the sun, or the horizon. Thus, a module for making such determinations can easily and inexpensively be made onboard an aerospace vehicle if an Earth-pointing sensor, such as a camera, is present.

Document Type

Patent

Status

Issued

Issue Date

1-16-2024

Patent Number

US 11873123 B2 [ 11,873,123 ]

CPC Classification

B64G3/00

Application number

17/123,810

Assignees

United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH (US)

Filing Date

12-16-2020

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