Development of a Deep-space-capable Navigation System for the Hugin Space Exploration Technology Demonstration Satellite Mission

Abstract: Development of autonomous in-fight navigation capability for a CubeSat mission is a challenging task, often ignored in favour of relying on a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). However, the potential value in solving this problem becomes great for deep-space missions where such networks have limited coverage. This thesis presents a proof of concept for how autonomous navigation can be achieved using the star tracker already included in the design of the Hugin satellite, a 3U-CubeSat under development by Beyond Atlas AB in Stockholm. A navigation algorithm presented in existing literature was selected, processing optically derived angular measurements of distant celestial bodies in an Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF). The algorithm was then integrated with a custom-built orbit simulator to test the navigation in a fight environment. Results from these simulations demonstrate that this algorithm can be used to allow a satellite in geocentric orbit to consistently track its position using only optical measurements, and key parameters for tuning the navigation UKF have been identifed. Additionally, Hugin’s star tracker was tested in order to verify its capabilities and measure the accuracy and precision of angular measurements. Software for generating images containing stars and celestial bodies was custom-built and used for the tests. Results from these tests were inconclusive, as the star tracker was unable to identify stars displayed in the test images. The most probable cause for this inability was judged to be an insuffciently true-to-reality test environment, with several possible improvements identifed to increase the fidelity of future tests. Based on the results from the simulations this report concludes that autonomous navigation is possible on Hugin using the presented algorithm. Despite this, much work remains to be done with the major topics needing further investigation outlined in this report.