Fault tolerant integrated inertial navigation/global positioning systems for next generation spacecraft

The authors address the requirements, benefits, and mitigation of risks to adapt a commercial Hexad fault-tolerant inertial navigation/global positioning system (FT IN/GPS) for use in next-generation spacecraft. Next-generation requirements are examined to determine whether a high production base system can meet autonomous, reliable, and low-cost requirements for future spacecraft. The major benefits are the combining and replacement of functions, the reduction of unscheduled maintenance and operations costs, and a higher probability of mission success. The design, development, and production risks are mitigated by the long-term commercial production schedule for the Boeing 777 air data inertial reference unit (ADIRU) which begins in the mid-1990s. The conclusion is that a strapdown ring laser gyro (RLG) Hexad FT IN/GPS is the preferred integrated navigation and control system for next-generation vehicles