Relative Navigation of Satellites in Formation Using Monocular Model-Based Vision

This paper describes the techniques of navigation of formation flying satellites at geostationary altitudes using monocular model-based vision. The uniqueness of this method is in the very fact that it utilizes the circular model features on the co-operative satellite in the formation. There are many papers on the point or line features but no known paper addresses the application of the circular features with regard to co-operative formation flying. This novel circular features based technique is applied to determination of the 3-D position of a satellite in the formation. This novel methodology can be used to determination of orientation of the satellites as well. The signal from the model-based vision sensor is used to control the relative navigation and control of the two satellites in the formation in geostationary orbits.