Citation
Abstract
The NASA/JPL deep space navigation system consists of a complex array of measurement systems, data processing systems, and support facilities, with components located both on the ground and on board interplanetary spacecraft. From its beginnings nearly 30 years ago, this system has steadily evolved and grown to meet the demands for ever-increasing navigation accuracy placed on it by a succession of unmanned planetary missions. Principal characteristics of this system are its unique capabilities and great complexity. In this article, three examples in the design and development of interplanetary space navigation systems are examined in order to make a brief assessment of the usefulness of three basic design theories, known as normative, rational, and heuristic. Evaluation of the examples indicates that a heuristic approach, coupled with rational-based mathematical and computational analysis methods, is used most often in problems such as orbit determination strategy development and mission navigation system design, while normative methods have seen only limited use in such applications as the development of large software systems and in the design of certain operational navigation subsystems.
Details
- Volume
- 42-101
- Published
- May 15, 1990
- Pages
- 39–50
- File Size
- 604.6 KB