Ephemerides-free celestial navigation
US10782134B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 17, 2018 |
| Grant date | Sep 22, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 3, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01C21/025
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods for use in celestial navigation system use multiple star observations from an unknown observer location using an observer camera with an observational field of view along a boresight axis and a focal plane perpendicular to the boresight axis. An observer local ECI coordinate system is determined from the star observations. Then for each of multiple observable objects in orbit around the Earth, multiple optical angular measurements relative to stars are performed over time to estimate its orbital ellipse, and its focus at the center of the Earth. From the multiple focus estimates, a position of the center of the Earth is estimated in the observer local coordinate system without use of object ephemeris data. From the estimated position of the center of the Earth, a radius vector to the observer is determined that represents the estimated observer location in Earth centered Earth fixed coordinates.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.