Satellite Constellation Navigation Method based on Inter-satellite Link and Inter-satellite Orientation

Abstract

The ability of autonomous navigation is one of the key features supporting autonomous operation of the satellite constellation. Based on inter-satellite link ranging, the increase of direction observation can obtain the indirect measurements of orbital plane orientation parameters, which determine the absolute direction of the constellation in inertial space, and control the overall drift influence of the constellation orbital elements, thus eliminate the navigation error caused by the overall rotation of the constellation. Simulation results show that the presented method is feasible and can guarantee the long-term navigation accuracy of the satellite constellation.