Techniques for enhancing the autonomy
of the formation control systems
The overall approach is based on the following key points:
Advances in space-based GPS receivers and onboard orbit determination
will enable onboard autonomous stationkeeping, and Differential Carrier-Phase
GPS can be used to very precise measure the relative position and attitude
of the vehicles (lastest
results)
Routine station-keeping and orbit maintenance maneuver planning,
monitoring, and evaluation are time-consuming and expensive ground operations.
Cost can be reduced by automating these operations on the spacecraft.
