The NSF-funded VISORS formationflying mission is due launch on SpaceX Transporter12 (Falcon9 Dedicated SSO Rideshare) in October 2024. It will realize the first segmented telescope with a focal length of 40m, resolution of 0.1 arcsec, in the extreme ultraviolet spectrum using two precisely aligned 6U propulsive CubeSats.
The #Stanford Space Rendezvous Laboratory is responsible for the orbit design and complete onboard autonomous GNC-stack with unprecedented requirements in terms of relative orbit navigation, control, passive and reactive safety.
The STK video here was created by my Ph.D. student Samuel Low to visualize a typical campaign and GNC ConOps from standby to science mode all the way back to standby. The e-/i-vector separation method is pushed to the limits as we are trying the align with a quasi-inertial target in low earth orbit while ensuring minimum propellant consumption and passive safety.
Check the formation-flying GNC design here:
Tommaso Guffanti, Toby Bell, T., Samuel Low, Mason Murray-Cooper, Simone D'Amico; Autonomous Guidance Navigation and Control of the VISORS Formation-Flying Mission; 2023 AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference, Big Sky, Montana, August 13-17, 2023.
VISORS is a multi-institution collaboration involving several partners including but not limited to: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Georgia Institute of Technology, Blue Canyon Technologies, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Washington State University, The Ohio State University, Montana State University-Bozeman, Purdue University, UC San Diego, New Mexico State University, University of Colorado Boulder.
