Vision-based relative navigation for formation flying of spacecraft

The objective of this paper is to develop a robust and efficient approach for relative navigation and attitude estimation of spacecraft flying in formation. The approach developed here uses information from a new optical sensor that provides a line of sight vector from the master spacecraft to the secondary satellite. The overall system provides a novel, reliable, and autonomous relative navigation and attitude determination system, employing relatively simple electronic circuits with modest digital signal processing requirements and is fully independent of any external systems. State estimation is achieved through an optimal observer design, which is analyzed using a Lyapunov and contraction mapping approach. Simulation results indicate that the combined sensor/estimator approach provides accurate relative position and attitude estimates.