Autonomous spacecraft navigation system

A method for autonomous navigation of a spacecraft, comprising the steps of:

• periodically sensing the positions of the sun, earth and moon as viewed from the spacecraft;
• determining the spacecraft attitude using multiple independent solutions, at least some of which use data obtained in the step of periodically sensing;
• determining the spacecraft position using multiple independent solutions, at least some of which use data obtained in the step of periodically sensing;
• and
• determining the spacecraft orbit using multiple independent solutions, at least some of which use data obtained in the step of periodically sensing;
• and
• applying the determined spacecraft attitude, position and orbit in the performance of a spacecraft function.

An autonomously navigated spacecraft, comprising:

• means for periodically sensing the positions of the sun, earth and moon as viewed from the spacecraft;
• and
• means for determining from the sensed positions of the sun, earth and moon, independently of any other external data, data values defining the spacecraft attitude, position, velocity, and orbit;
• and
• means for applying at least one of the determined data values in the performance of a spacecraft function.

An autonomous spacecraft navigation system, comprising:

• means for periodically sensing the positions of the sun, earth and moon as viewed from the spacecraft;
• means for determining the spacecraft attitude using multiple independent solutions, at least some of which use data obtained from the means for periodically sensing;
• means for determining the spacecraft position using multiple independent solutions, at least some of which use data obtained from the means for periodically sensing;
• and
• means for determining the spacecraft orbit using multiple independent solutions, at least some of which use data obtained from the means for periodically sensing;
• and
• means for applying the determined spacecraft attitude, position and orbit to a spacecraft function.