The DS-1 autonomous navigation system - Autonomous control of low thrust propulsion system

Abstract

The Deep Space-1 (DS-1) mission to be launched in 1998 will use an autonomous navigation system to guide the spacecraft on a low thrust trajectory to flybys of an asteroid and a comet. The ion propulsion system to be validated on DS-1 will provide low thrust solar electric propulsion to the spacecraft and presents additional challenges to the development of the autonomous navigation system. In order to maintain a trajectory to the designated mission target bodies, the autonomous navigation system must autonomously determine the orbit of the spacecraft, and adjust the thrust profile to be implemented by the ion propulsion system to correct any deviations from the nominal spacecraft trajectory. A detailed description of the component of the autonomous navigation system that controls the low thrust profile of the ion propulsion system is presented, and examples of some tests of this system are used to illustrate its capabilities.