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Article
Open AccessGPS-Based Precise Orbit Determination of LEO Satellites Using Space-Based Double-Differenced Observations
One of the important GPS applications in space is precise orbit determination (POD) of Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. Thousands of LEO satellites are currently in orbit. One of the challenges is how to effi...
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Article
Open AccessSpacecraft Formation Kee** and Reconfiguration Using Optimal Visual Servoing
This paper proposes a direct visual servoing system for spacecraft guidance in formation flying scenarios. The proposed image-based visual servoing system uses image information for planning and executing form...
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Article
Open AccessReduced Desensitization Formulation for Optimal Control Problems
Solutions to nonlinear optimal control problems (OCPs) exhibit dispersions under model uncertainties and it is desirable to generate optimal solutions that exhibit less sensitivity to model uncertainties. We p...
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Article
Open AccessAcceleration-Based Switching Surfaces for Impulsive Trajectory Design Between Cislunar Libration Point Orbits
A method is proposed to generate an initial guess for impulsive trajectory design in the circular restricted three-body problem. The method uses acceleration-based switching surfaces to obtain near-impulsive s...
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Article
Open AccessLearning-Based Parameter Optimization for a Class of Orbital Tracking Control Laws
This paper presents a learning algorithm for tuning the parameters of a family of stabilizing nonlinear controllers for orbital tracking, in order to minimize a cost function which combines convergence time an...
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Article
Open AccessAnalysis, Design, and Optimization of Robust Trajectories in Cislunar Environment for Limited-Capability Spacecraft
Nowadays, the space exploration is going in the direction of exploiting small platforms to get high scientific return at significantly lower costs. However, miniaturized spacecraft pose different challenges bo...
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Article
Open AccessSpacecraft Materials’ Reflectivity and Surface Morphology: Aging Caused by Proton Irradiation
The radiation environment in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is dominated by protons captured by Earth’s magnetic field in the Inner Van-Allen belt. Defunct satellites and other space debris objects can be resident in t...
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Article
Open AccessOptimal Sensor Planning for SSA Using System Identification Concepts
The rapid growth of man-made objects in Earth’s orbit has created a need for planning and prioritizing sensor measurements of these objects in order to keep track of their motion in orbit. In this paper, we ad...
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Article
Open AccessThe Oblate Lambert Problem: Geometric Formulation and Solution of an Unperturbed, Generalized Lambert Problem Governed by Vinti’s Potential
Numerous methods exist for solving the Lambert problem, the two-point boundary value problem (BVP) governed by two-body dynamics. Many applications would benefit from a solution to a perturbed Lambert problem;...
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Article
Open AccessSatellite Manoeuvre Detection with Multistatic Radar
Traditional radar sensors used for surveillance rely on monostatic radar principles. However, recently the use of remote radio frequency telescopes as bistatic receivers represents an interesting way to reuse ...
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Article
Open AccessAnalysis of Spacecraft Materials Discrimination Using Color Indices for Remote Sensing for Space Situational Awareness
The increasing number of space missions have resulted in an augmented density of artificial objects positioned in orbital domains near Earth. Knowing the material composition of the resident space object can b...
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Article
Open AccessMotion Primitive Approach to Spacecraft Trajectory Design in a Multi-body System
The increasing number and variety of spacecraft that are expected to operate within cislunar space and other multi-body gravitational environments throughout the solar system necessitates the continued develop...
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Article
Open AccessRevisiting Universal Variables for Robust, Analytical Orbit Propagation Under the Vinti Potential
To meet the growing complexity and demands of modern spacecraft missions, analytical solutions to initial value problems see continued use, typically supporting global searches of large trajectory design space...
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Article
Open AccessLow-Thrust Lunar Capture Leveraging Nonlinear Orbit Control
Nonlinear orbit control with the use of low-thrust propulsion is proposed as an effective strategy for autonomous guidance of a space vehicle directed toward the Moon. Orbital motion is described in an ephemer...
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Article
Open AccessDynamics in the Vicinity of the Stable Halo Orbits
This work presents a study of the dynamics in the vicinity of the stable L2 halo orbits in the Earth-Moon system of the circular restricted three-body problem. These solutions include partially elliptic, partiall...
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Article
Open AccessImage Processing Robustness Assessment of Small-Body Shapes
Asteroids and comets are triggering interest due to the richness of precious materials, their scientific value as well as for their potential hazardousness. Owing to their significant diversity, minor bodies d...
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Article
Open AccessSemi-Empirical Astronomical Light Pollution Evaluation of Satellite Constellations
Several commercial organizations have recently launched or plan to launch constellations containing thousands of satellites. Such large constellations potentially adversely affect astronomical observations. Th...
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Article
Open AccessLine Sampling Procedure for Extensive Planetary Protection Analysis
Exploration missions to other planets have to satisfy planetary protection requirements to limit the probability of impacts between mission-related objects and celestial bodies, with the goal of reducing the r...
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Article
Open AccessA Homotopic Direct Collocation Approach for Operational-Compliant Trajectory Design
Stand-alone deep-space CubeSats are the future of the space sector. For limited budget reasons, these spacecraft need to follow operational-compliant (OC) trajectories: transfers with thrusting and coasting pe...
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Article
Open AccessSpace-Based Sensor Tasking Using Deep Reinforcement Learning
To maintain a robust catalog of resident space objects (RSOs), space situational awareness (SSA) mission operators depend on ground- and space-based sensors to repeatedly detect, characterize, and track object...
