Performance discussion on space integrated navigation based three GPS satellites

Facing the probable situation of less four navigation satellites of Global Positioning System (GPS) during the orbit transferring of Space Transfer Vehicle (STV), the integrated navigation plan from three satellites pesudorange information is supposed and the performance of GPS/Strapdown Inertial Navigation System (SINS) based three GPS satellites is discussed. We construct the SINS space navigation model, derive the navigation errors model of SINS and chose the errors as the states of Kalman filter. The corresponding Kalman filter with three pesudorange information is designed. Simulations show that GPS/INS could still supplies better navigation parameters for STV in orbit transferring just with 3 GPS navigation satellites.

I. INTRODUCTION

The missions such as servicing, repairing and rescuing for the increasing man/unmanned vehicles become important more and more in the future. The life of satellites would be extended and launch/operating costs would be reduced with such missions [1]. The corresponding vehicles should have autonomous orbit transferring ability such as Autonomous Transfer Vehicle (ATV) for International Space Station (ISS) [2], and could be named Space Transfer Vehicle (STV). STY should be able to run without the aiding from Earth-based systems is obviously needed.