RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Highly Efficient Real-Time Kinematic-Based Precise Relative Navigation for Autonomous Rendezvous CubeSat
JF NAVIGATION: Journal of the Institute of Navigation
JO NAVIGATION
FD Institute of Navigation
SP navi.661
DO 10.33012/navi.661
VO 71
IS 3
A1 Shim, Hanjoon
A1 Kee, Changdon
YR 2024
UL https://navi.ion.org/content/71/3/navi.661.abstract
AB This study addresses the practical challenges associated with real-time kinematic relative navigation for cube satellites (CubeSats) performing rendezvous missions in a low Earth orbit (LEO). Considering the limitations of CubeSats, we propose a method to achieve precise centimeter-level relative navigation using single-frequency Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements. By using GPS visibility and minimizing errors in the LEO, our approach eliminates the need for additional sensors. We employed range-domain differential GPS with a Hatch filter to enhance the pseudorange accuracy. Double-difference integer ambiguities were resolved epoch-by-epoch using the least-squares ambiguity decorrelation adjustment (LAMBDA) technique without filters, to ensure efficiency. The algorithm was applied to CubeSat hardware, integrating cycle-slip detection and CubeSat-tailored ground plane designs. Simulations validated the algorithm’s performance in LEO, and its real-world efficacy was evaluated through ground-based measurements in an open-sky environment. Considering hardware constraints, our method demonstrates the feasibility of achieving centimeter-level relative navigation for CubeSats, effectively and economically addressing a crucial need in autonomous space missions.