Project Title:

Interplanetary Autonomous Navigation

94-1	09.04	9444

Interplanetary Autonomous Navigation

Abstract:

Microcosm proposes to evaluate the applicability of the flight-
proven Microcosm Autonomous Navigation System (MANS), which does 
optical autonomous navigation in Earth orbit, to the problem of 
autonomous navigation in both interplanetary flight and in orbit 
about other solar system objects. In Phase I, we will develop a 
preliminary estimate of the autonav requirements for several 
government-defined missions, evaluate applicable sensors and the 
information content of the resulting measurements, and examine the 
applicability of the existing MANS software. We will define the 
system architecture and potential utility of the most effective 
interplanetary autonomous navigation options. We will also develop 
a plan for phased implementation so that the transition to 
autonomous navigation can occur in a conservative manner that can 
be monitored and controlled from the ground as needed. In Phase II, 
we will undertake detailed simulations of space missions of 
interest to validate the performance and, depending on the results 
of Phase I, may begin modifications to the MANS software to 
initiate the development of flight code.

An autonomous navigation system for interplanetary spacecraft will 
have commercial applications in both U.S. and foreign programs The 
system may also be useful for Earth orbiting spacecraft for 
commercial applications such as communications and optical imaging. 
Such a system should significantly reduce mission cost and risk. It 
would reduce the need for constant tracking with expensive ground-
based systems such as the Deep Space Network.

Key Words

Microcosm, Inc.
2601 Airport Dr., Suite 230
Torrance, CA 90505