A Focus on Navigation Performance Near Perilune in a Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit for a Crewed Station
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Clark P Newman↗
SEARCH · Engineering Papers
Results for “navigation performance”
Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Navigation Performance Trades and Analysis for the Lunar GNSS Receiver Experiment (LuGRE)
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
GNSS↗
Mars 2020 Navigation Performance
On February 18, 2021, the Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter demonstration landed at Jezero Crater. The Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) architecture, largely the same used to land Curiosity at Gale Crater on August 6, 2012, required high-fidelity flight dynamics simulation with two independent tools to verify performance. The process for creating the EDL simulation using the Dynamics Simulator for Entry, Descent and Surface landing (DSENDS) tool will be discussed, along with its use for for independent verification of the EDL statistical analysis results and reference trajectory simulation. Analysis and usage details both in development and cruise, along with post-landing assessment of the prediction performance of the simulation, will also be discussed.
Wagner, Sean↗
Flight Dynamics and Navigation Performance of the BioSentinel Mission
BioSentinel was one of ten CubeSats launched by the Space Launch System (SLS) as part of the Artemis I campaign on 16 November 2022. A lunar flyby gave BioSentinel the needed energy to escape the Earth-Moon system into heliocentric space. The biological payload contains yeast cells designed to measure radiation in deep space beyond the reach of Earth’s magnetosphere. This paper discusses in detail the BioSentinel flight performance, as well as challenges and lessons learned prior to, and during the mission.
BioSentinel↗
Flight Dynamics and Navigation Performance of the BioSentinel Mission
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Astrodynamics↗
Human Factors Considerations for Performance-Based Navigation
A transition toward a performance-based navigation system is currently underway in both the United States and around the world. Performance-based navigation incorporates Area Navigation (RNAV) and Required Navigation Performance (RNP) procedures that do not rely on the location of ground-based navigation aids. These procedures offer significant benefits to both operators and air traffic managers. Under sponsorship from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has undertaken a project to document human factors issues that have emerged during RNAV and RNP operations and propose areas for further consideration. Issues were found to include aspects of air traffic control and airline procedures, aircraft systems, and procedure design. Major findings suggest the need for human factors-specific instrument procedure design guidelines. Ongoing industry and government activities to address air-ground communication terminology, procedure design improvements, and chart-database commonality are strongly encouraged.
Barhydt, Richard↗
Evaluation of the Terminal Area Precision Scheduling and Spacing System for Performance-Based Navigation Arrivals
The growth of global demand for air transportation has put increasing strain on the nation's air traffic management system. To relieve this strain, the International Civil Aviation Organization has urged all nations to adopt Performance-Based Navigation (PBN), which can help to reduce air traffic congestion, decrease aviation fuel consumption, and protect the environment. NASA has developed a Terminal Area Precision Scheduling and Spacing (TAPSS) system that can support increased use of PBN during periods of high traffic, while supporting fuel-efficient, continuous descent approaches. In the original development of this system, arrival aircraft are assigned fuel-efficient Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Terminal Arrival Routes before their initial descent from cruise, with routing defined to a specific runway. The system also determines precise schedules for these aircraft that facilitate continuous descent through the assigned routes. To meet these schedules, controllers are given a set of advisory tools to precisely control aircraft. The TAPSS system has been evaluated in a series of human-in-the-loop (HITL) air traffic simulations during 2010 and 2011. Results indicated increased airport arrival throughput up to 10 over current operations, and maintained fuel-efficient aircraft decent profiles from the initial descent to landing with reduced controller workload. This paper focuses on results from a joint NASA and FAA HITL simulation conducted in 2012. Due to the FAA rollout of the advance terminal area PBN procedures at mid-sized airports first, the TAPSS system was modified to manage arrival aircraft as they entered Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON). Dallas-Love Field airport (DAL) was selected by the FAA as a representative mid-sized airport within a constrained TRACON airspace due to the close proximity of a major airport, in this case Dallas-Ft Worth International Airport, one of the busiest in the world. To address this constraint, RNAV routes and Required Navigation Performance with the particular capability known as Radius-to-Fix (RNP-RF) approaches to a short final were used. The purpose of this simulation was to get feedback on how current operations could benefit with the TAPSS system and also to evaluate the efficacy of the advisory tools to support the broader use of PBN in the US National Airspace System. For this NASA-FAA joint experiment, an Air Traffic Control laboratory at NASA Ames was arranged to simulate arrivals into DAL in Instrument Meteorological Conditions utilizing parallel dependent approaches, with two feeder positions that handed off traffic to one final position. Four FAA controllers participated, alternately covering these three positions. All participants were Full-Performance Level terminal controllers and members of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. During the simulation, PBN arrival operations were compared and contrasted in three conditions. They were the Baseline, where none of the TAPSS systems TRACON controller decision support advisories were provided, the Limited Advisories, reflecting the existing but dormant capabilities of the current terminal automation equipment with providing a subset of the TAPSS systems advisories; numerical delay, landing sequence, and runway assignment information, and the Full Advisories, with providing the following in addition to the ones in the Limited condition; trajectory slot markers, timelines of estimated times of arrivals and sched
Performance based navigation↗
Human Factors Assessment of Disturbances to Scheduled Performance-Based Navigation Arrival Operations
The introduction of Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) specifications to air traffic management has resulted in many benefits during nominal operations, including shorter flight paths, reduced fuel costs, and improved terminal area arrival rates. However, these benefits become less noticeable during off-nominal operations where aircraft are routinely interrupted from staying on PBN procedures due to disturbances such as missed approaches. This human-in-the-loop (HITL) study used multiple types of disturbance events to perturb the arrival schedule. Perturbed schedules were managed with different types of schedule adjustments, including a condition with no adjustments. The study collected data on a host of dependent variables, including human factors measures on controller workload and system performance measures such as schedule nonconformance (nc). Initial analyses showed strong correlations between aggregated controller workload and aggregated nc, as well as benefits of both automatic and manual schedule adjustments for increasing system performance, such as reduced PBN procedure interruptions. The goal of this paper is to further test these initial findings. The results indicated that an increase in schedule nonconformance correlated with an increase in controller workload at specific time intervals, and automated schedule adjustments consistently reduced controller workload associated with nonconformance.
Human factors↗
Relative navigation requirements for automatic rendezvous and capture systems
This paper will discuss in detail the relative navigation system requirements and sensor trade-offs for Automatic Rendezvous and Capture. Rendezvous navigation filter development will be discussed in the context of navigation performance requirements for a 'Phase One' AR&C system capability. Navigation system architectures and the resulting relative navigation performance for both cooperative and uncooperative target vehicles will be assessed. Relative navigation performance using rendezvous radar, star tracker, radiometric, laser and GPS navigation sensors during appropriate phases of the trajectory will be presented. The effect of relative navigation performance on the Integrated AR&C system performance will be addressed. Linear covariance and deterministic simulation results will be used. Evaluation of relative navigation and IGN&C system performance for several representative relative approach profiles will be presented in order to demonstrate the full range of system capabilities. A summary of the sensor requirements and recommendations for AR&C system capabilities for several programs requiring AR&C will be presented.
Kachmar, Peter M.↗
Assessing Resilience of Scheduled Performance-Based Navigation Arrival Operations
This paper assesses the resilience of scheduled Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) arrival operations. Resilience is defined as an ability to return to nominal operations following a schedule perturbation. Results from a Human-in-the- Loop (HITL) experiment that included off-nominal events to perturb the schedule are described. The schedule comes from a precision trajectory-based arrival manager. The experiment collected data regarding the response to perturbed schedules in three conditions, where: 1) a disturbance rejection algorithm made schedule adjustments automatically, 2) a Traffic Management Coordinator (TMC) participant made schedule adjustments manually, or 3) no schedule adjustments were made. Analyses showed that the simulation’s scheduled PBN operations have inherent resilience, recovering from more than half of the perturbed schedules even with no schedule adjustments. Resilience to the same off-nominal events improved with schedule adjustments; an increased proportion of perturbed schedules recovered within the length of operation run, and the average duration of the schedule’s perturbed state decreased. Compared to the manual schedule adjustments condition, a greater number of schedule adjustments occurred for the same off-nominal events in the automated condition. However, perturbed schedules were recovered more frequently and perturbations were less severe in the automated condition. Subjective and objective workload in the manual and the automated schedule adjustment conditions were similar to the no schedule adjustment condition.
Resilience↗
Evaluation of the Terminal Sequencing and Spacing System for Performance Based Navigation Arrivals
NASA has developed the Terminal Sequencing and Spacing (TSS) system, a suite of advanced arrival management technologies combining timebased scheduling and controller precision spacing tools. TSS is a ground-based controller automation tool that facilitates sequencing and merging arrivals that have both current standard ATC routes and terminal Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) routes, especially during highly congested demand periods. In collaboration with the FAA and MITRE's Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD), TSS system performance was evaluated in human-in-the-loop (HITL) simulations with currently active controllers as participants. Traffic scenarios had mixed Area Navigation (RNAV) and Required Navigation Performance (RNP) equipage, where the more advanced RNP-equipped aircraft had preferential treatment with a shorter approach option. Simulation results indicate the TSS system achieved benefits by enabling PBN, while maintaining high throughput rates-10% above baseline demand levels. Flight path predictability improved, where path deviation was reduced by 2 NM on average and variance in the downwind leg length was 75% less. Arrivals flew more fuel-efficient descents for longer, spending an average of 39 seconds less in step-down level altitude segments. Self-reported controller workload was reduced, with statistically significant differences at the p less than 0.01 level. The RNP-equipped arrivals were also able to more frequently capitalize on the benefits of being "Best-Equipped, Best- Served" (BEBS), where less vectoring was needed and nearly all RNP approaches were conducted without interruption.
terminal sequencing↗
Geometrical-Based Navigation System Performance Assessment in the Space Service Volume Using a Multiglobal Navigation Satellite System Methodology
NASA is participating in the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) (ICG)'s efforts towards demonstrating the benefits to the space user in the Space Service Volume (SSV) when a multi-GNSS solution space approach is utilized. The ICG Working Group: Enhancement of GNSS Performance, New Services and Capabilities has started a three phase analysis initiative as an outcome of recommendations at the ICG-10 meeting, in preparation for the ICG-11 meeting. The first phase of that increasing complexity and fidelity analysis initiative is based on a pure geometrically-derived access technique. The first phase of analysis has been completed, and the results are documented in this paper.
Global Positioning System↗
Planetary exploration - Earth's new horizon /12th von Karman Lecture/
The article gives an account of the history of unmanned exploration of the planets of the solar system, including both earthbound exploration and exploration with spacecraft. Examples of images of the Martian surface are presented along with images obtained in Jupiter and Mercury flybys. Data are presented on the growth of US launch vehicle performance capability, navigation performance, and planetary data rate capability. Basic information regarding the nature of the scientific experiments aboard the Pioneer and Viking spacecraft is given. A case is put forward for the ongoing exploration of the planets as a worthwhile endeavor for man.
Schurmeier, H. M.↗
Navigation automation for the Soil Moisture Active Passive observatory
Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) is a NASA Earth science mission designed to measure soil moisture content and freeze/thaw cycles over a three-year period. This paper presents a 2-year summary of navigation performance, shows navigation compliance (and non-compliance) with Science Orbit Requirements, and describes how automated processes appreciably reduced the size of the navigation team.
Lee, Julim↗
Developing a Robust, Interoperable GNSS Space Service Volume (SSV) for the Global Space User Community
For over two decades, researchers, space users, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) service providers, and international policy makers have been working diligently to expand the space-borne use of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and, most recently, to employ the full complement of GNSS constellations to increase spacecraft navigation performance. Space-borne Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) applications employing GNSS are now ubiquitous in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). GNSS use in space is quickly expanding into the Space Service Volume (SSV), the signal environment in the volume surrounding the Earth that enables real-time PNT measurements from GNSS systems at altitudes of 3000 km and above. To support the current missions and planned future missions within the SSV, initiatives are being conducted in the United States and internationally to ensure that GNSS signals are available, robust, and yield precise navigation performance. These initiatives include the Interagency Forum for Operational Requirements (IFOR) effort in the United States, to support GPS SSV signal robustness through future design changes, and the United Nations-sponsored International Committee on GNSS (ICG), to coordinate SSV development across all international GNSS constellations and regional augmentations. The results of these efforts have already proven fruitful, enabling new missions through radically improved navigation and timing performance, ensuring quick recovery from trajectory maneuvers, improving space vehicle autonomy and making GNSS signals more resilient from potential disruptions. Missions in the SSV are operational now and have demonstrated outstanding PNT performance characteristics; much better than what was envisioned less than a decade ago. The recent launch of the first in a series of US weather satellites will employ the use of GNSS in the SSV to substantially improve weather prediction and public-safety situational awareness of fast moving events, including hurricanes, flash floods, severe storms, tornados and wildfires. Thus, the benefits of the GNSS expansion and use into the SSV are tremendous, resulting in orders of magnitude return in investment to national governments and extraordinary societal benefits, including lives saved and critical infrastructure and property protected. However, this outstanding success is tempered by dual challenges: that for GPS, the current SSV specifications do not adequately protect SSV future use; and that for GNSS, the capabilities that are currently available are not protected in the future by specifications.
Bauer, Frank H.↗
Developing a Robust, Interoperable GNSS Space Service Volume (SSV) for the Global Space User Community
For over two decades, researchers, space users, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) service providers, and international policy makers have been working diligently to expand the space-borne use of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and, most recently, to employ the full complement of GNSS constellations to increase spacecraft navigation performance. Space-borne Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) applications employing GNSS are now ubiquitous in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). GNSS use in space is quickly expanding into the Space Service Volume (SSV), the signal environment in the volume surrounding the Earth that enables real-time PNT measurements from GNSS systems at altitudes of 3000 km and above. To support the current missions and planned future missions within the SSV, initiatives are being conducted in the United States and internationally to ensure that GNSS signals are available, robust, and yield precise navigation performance. These initiatives include the Interagency Forum for Operational Requirements (IFOR) effort in the United States, to support GPS SSV signal robustness through future design changes, and the United Nations-sponsored International Committee on GNSS (ICG), to coordinate SSV development across all international GNSS constellations and regional augmentations. The results of these efforts have already proven fruitful, enabling new missions through radically improved navigation and timing performance, ensuring quick recovery from trajectory maneuvers, improving space vehicle autonomy and making GNSS signals more resilient from potential disruptions. Missions in the SSV are operational now and have demonstrated outstanding PNT performance characteristics; much better than what was envisioned less than a decade ago. The recent launch of the first in a series of US weather satellites will employ the use of GNSS in the SSV to substantially improve weather prediction and public-safety situational awareness of fast moving events, including hurricanes, flash floods, severe storms, tornados and wildfires. Thus, the benefits of the GNSS expansion and use into the SSV are tremendous, resulting in orders of magnitude return in investment to national governments and extraordinary societal benefits, including lives saved and critical infrastructure and property protected. However, this outstanding success is tempered by dual challenges: that for GPS, the current SSV specifications do not adequately protect SSV future use; and that for GNSS, the capabilities that are currently available are not protected in the future by specifications.
Bauer, Frank H.↗
Optical Navigation Algorithm Performance
There is a wide variety of optical navigation (OpNav) techniques that can be used to extract observables from images of natural bodies. Each of these techniques has a number of strengths and weaknesses and domains where they are most applicable. In this paper, we compare the performance of some of the most commonly used OpNav techniques across a variety of orbital regimes and a variety of body types through the use of synthetic images. Specifically, we consider the techniques of analytic model fitting, phase corrected moment estimation, limb-scanning, ellipsoid matching, and cross correlation using synthetic images of a tri-axial ellipsoid, the asteroid Bennu, and the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. For each technique, regime, and body, we examine the overall accuracy and the type of information available. The resulting information provides a useful tool for understanding which techniques are best suited for a given image, as well as for understanding the relative performance of each technique.
Wright, Cinnamon A.↗