AAS 98-145
NAVIGATION FLIGHT OPERATIONS FOR MARS PATHFINDER
R. M. Vaughan, P. H. Kallemeyn, D. A. Spencer - Jet Propulsion Laboratory; R. D. Braun - NASA Langley Research Center
Abstract
This paper describes the navigation flight experience for the Mars Pathfinder interplanetary cruise from launch in December 1996 to arrival at Mars on July 4, 1997. First, force modeling and the successful application of an enhanced filter technique for spacecraft orbit determination are discussed. Next, maneuver design and execution results for the 4 Trajectory Correction Maneuvers (TCMs) are presented. Finally, the navigation role in the days and hours leading up to and including the Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) is explained.
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