Attitude navigation for deep space explorer based on mission planning

Abstract

In deep space exploration, unknown environment require the real-time controlling on an explorer, however the time delay of communication and signal blocking by stars make it impossible for the explorer to achieve real-time controlling. In order to solve the real-time attitude controlling problem for deep space explorers, the characteristics of complex system structure, coupling constraints, and parallel computing were considered. This paper used a method based on status and timeline to describe the deep space exploration domain knowledge, proposed a mission planning method based on multiple constraints satisfaction to realize the automatic generation of the on-board attitude maneuver missions. Including several kinds of geometrical constraints, dynamic constraints, and kinematic constraints, the constraints existing in the attitude maneuver process of an explorer has been considered and an attitude maneuver planning approach was used, which guaranteed the safety of the explorer system in the maneuver. Mission consequences could be generated from the mission planning approach as the high level commands for the attitude controlling system on-board, which could guide the attitude controlling system to complete the attitude maneuver missions automatically and safely in the mission level.