Citation
Abstract
When two interplanetary spacecraft lie along similar geocentric lines of sight, navigational advantages may be achieved by navigating one spacecraft with respect to the other. Opportunities to employ this technique will become more common: the two Viking spacecraft will be within two degrees of each other for the last seven months of their cruise phase; the two Mariner Jupiter/Saturn 1977 (MJS'77) spacecraft will be within three degrees of each other for the last three years of their mission. This article describes the advantages of this technique in both conceptual and mathematical terms and discusses the various data types that might be formulated. The opportunities for testing and utilizing this technique are also outlined.
Details
- Volume
- 42-22
- Published
- August 15, 1974
- Pages
- 51–65
- File Size
- 1.4 MB