Autonomous integrated navigation plan for Space Transfer Vehicle

Space transfer vehicle (STV), which performs missions such as servicing, repairing and rescuing in space without the ground tracking or communication, creates the requirement for the development of an autonomous navigation capability. The navigation sensors should have autonomous characteristics. Strapdown inertial navigation system (SINS), Global Positioning System (GPS) and star sensors (SS) are selected as the navigation sensors for STV. Models of SINS navigation and error for STV are described, but some matrix parameter in models is re-derived. Attitude of SINS is modified as a more intuitionistic mode, too. The extend Kalman filter(EKF) of the SINS/GPS/SS is constructed. Simulations show SINS/GPS/SS could supply the better estimation of position, velocity and attitude during STV orbit changing mission.