초록 ▼

A precise, spacecraft camera image navigation and registration system and method wherein a computer 36 on-board the spacecraft and a ground system comprising at least two ground stations precisely compute image navigation and registration data from precise data measurements. The computer on-board th

A precise, spacecraft camera image navigation and registration system and method wherein a computer 36 on-board the spacecraft and a ground system comprising at least two ground stations precisely compute image navigation and registration data from precise data measurements. The computer on-board the spacecraft (spacecraft control system) uses precise star tracker, gyro, and earth sensor attitude data to precisely point the spacecraft and the camera. The ground system utilizes precise star measurement data from the camera and range data from the ground stations time tagged with GPS precise clock data. The ground system uses these precise measurements to determine precise orbit and attitude coefficients and uploads these coefficient to the spacecraft. The computer on-board the spacecraft uses these precise coefficients to generate and apply precise signals to compensate for slow orbit and attitude variations and register camera images in real time. The computer on-board the spacecraft is also used to generate camera commands to eliminate the need to upload a large number of daily ground commands, which therefore simplifies ground operations.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A precise spacecraft camera image navigation and registration method for use with a spacecraft orbiting about a central body, comprising the steps of:launching a spacecraft into an orbit about the central body, which spacecraft comprises a camera, and one or more sensors

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A precise spacecraft camera image navigation and registration method for use with a spacecraft orbiting about a central body, comprising the steps of:launching a spacecraft into an orbit about the central body, which spacecraft comprises a camera, and one or more sensors selected from the group including: a star tracker, a central body sensor, and a gyro; andselectively processing attitude data derived from (1) the camera, and the star tracker, (2) the camera, the star tracker and the gyro, (3) the camera, the central body sensor and the gyro, or (4) the camera, the star tracker, the central body sensor and the gyro, to point the spacecraft and point the camera.