AAS 95-383

Autonomous Optical Navigation for the Pluto Fast Flyby Mission

R. M. Vaughan and S. P. Synnott, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA

Abstract

This paper discusses applications of optical navigation techniques during the encounter phase of a typical mission to Pluto. Optical navigation data must be acquired up to a few hours before closest approach in order to achieve the desired mission objectives. A unique feature of JPL's proposed Pluto missions is that their relatively large approach velocities preclude return of the navigation pictures for ground processing close to encounter. This leads to the introduction of partial autonomy by migration of some traditional ground-based techniques to the spacecraft flight system. A prototype design for the autonomous optical navigation system is presented.