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Attitude observability from light curve measurements

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

The observability of space object attitude from light curve data is analyzed. Light curves, which are the time-varying apparent brightness of sunlight reflected off a space object and measured by an observer, depend on the object position, attitude, surface material, shape, and other parameters. Previous work employing light curve data for shape estimation requires the availability of good attitude estimates. This paper explores the possibility of obtaining attitude information from the brightness measurements themselves. Some types of attitude estimate errors are detectable from individual brightness measurements, but other attitude errors lie in the nullspace of the Fisher information matrix and are not observable in the static case. Analytical expressions for the nullspace vectors are derived. The observability of the light curve model parameters is also briefly addressed.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Conference
PublisherAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc.
ISBN (Print)9781624102240
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
EventAIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Conference - Boston, MA, United States
Duration: Aug 19 2013Aug 22 2013

Publication series

NameAIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Conference

Conference

ConferenceAIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Conference
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBoston, MA
Period08/19/1308/22/13

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