Construct: Autonomous Deep Space Navigation (ADSN)
State of Autonomous Deep Space Navigation as of 2024
Autonomous navigation
Autonomous navigation is performed on-board a spacecraft without any intervention from Earth based ground systems. For it to be classified as an autonomous navigation system, only on-board data collection and processing is allowed. Examples are pulsar and radiometric crosslink navigation. Non-autonomous navigation relies on Earth based ground systems for observations and/or data processing. Examples are the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and Deep Space Network (DSN) [1]. Semi-autonomous navigation systems use a combination of on-board and Earth based ground system data collection and processing. An example is the use of on-board data collection from star and sun trackers for attitude determination combined with earth radar for distance and velocity determination.
Deep space navigation
Deep space navigation is defined as missions that reach further than Geosynchronous orbit (GEO). GEO orbits, including Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO), are served by local Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). To date all deep space missions are serviced by the DSN. It is a network of three earth based radio dishes that provide position, velocity and acceleration information for spacecrafts outside of GNSS networks. Examples of deep space trajectories are:
High earth orbit (highly elliptical outside of GEO) trajectories
Lunar and Lunar flyby trajectories
Lunar-Earth Lagrange trajectories (L1-L5)
Heliocentric orbits (orbits around the sun) and trajectories
Sun-Earth Lagrange trajectories (L1-L5)
Planetary trajectories (Venus, Mars, Europa etc)
Small body trajectories (like Asteroids)
Autonomous deep space navigation systems (ADSN)
The only deep space navigation systems currently available in the market are non-autonomous navigation systems that rely on NASA’s DSN. Products available to service deep space missions are the
Small Deep Space Transponder (SDST) from the General Dynamics [2] and the
IRS V2 designed by NASA Jet Propulsion Lab [3].
As of 2020, the only deep space transponder with flight heritage suitable for small spacecraft was the JPL-designed IRIS V2.
An analysis of 64 missions flow in the last century, indicates that only seven missions were serviced by private companies. These companies included Lockheed Martin, Southwest Research Institute, Argotec, Team Miles Tampa Hackerspace, Astron, Radhound and Advanced Space. None of these missions used or considered an ADSN systems, although more than half could have benefited from its use [4].
References
[1]. Monaghan, H. (2023, September 29). What is the Deep Space Network? - NASA. NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/somd/space-communications-navigation-program/what-is-the-deep-space-network/
[2]. Small Deep Space Transponder - General Dynamics Mission Systems. (n.d.). https://gdmissionsystems.com/products/communications/spaceborne-communications/tracking-telemetry-and-control/small-deep-space-transponder
[3]. Iris Deep-Space Transponder for SLS EM-1 CubeSat Missions - USU IR, Utah State University, USU Institutional Repository https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3603&context=smallsat
[4]. Turan, E., Speretta, S., & Gill, E. (2022). Autonomous navigation for deep space small satellites: Scientific and technological advances. Acta Astronautica, 193, 56–74.