Autonomous Constellation Maintenance System

We have previously developed three elements related to this topic-the Microcosm Autonomous Navigation System, MANS, now being tested on TAOS; an extension of MANS to allow Kalman filtering and propagation through outages of GPS signals; and multiple orbit control algorithms developed on internal funds. Under this SBIR, we propose to combine these technologies into a single, robust, fully autonomous, redundant navigation and orbit control system for satellite constellations from low Earth orbit to beyound geosynchronous. Because the system does not require crosslinks, initial satellites can be deployed directly into the constellation structure and the overall system has very soft failure modes. Phase I will design and characterize the full system architecture for constellation maintenance and provide a high level system simulation. Phase II will create a high accuracy system simulation, definition of system component requirements, an assessment of on-orbit calibration requirements, and a test and flight verification plan.| Benefits: With growing interest in both surveillance and LEO communications constellations, the problem of robust, low-cost constellation maintenance is critical. This SBIR can lead to low-cost, near-term solution applicable to both LEO and GEO.