Relative navigation multi-spacecraft system with GPS

Some type of multi-spacecraft system with kinematical restraint but no stru ctural restraint and force action is considered. Both the absolute and rela tive navigation information is required for this multi-spacecraft system, b ut the relative information is more critical and the accuracy requirements for relative information will be much higher than those for the absolute in formation. In this paper, Global Positioning System (GPS)/Differential GPS (DGPS) are introduced and used for relative navigation. Relative motion of space vehicles are modeled. Relative position, relative velocity and relati ve attitude are represented and solved by GPS/DGPS measurements. Use of som e type of commercial GPS receiver onboard spacecraft and relative different ial GPS technique, the relative navigation of space vehicles can be impleme nted in real-time.