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Seubert, Jill

Publications and source records attributed to Seubert, Jill.

At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2019

InSight orbit determination

The InSight mission relied on accurate deep-space navigation for a successful Mars landing on November 26, 2018. In this paper, we discuss the role of the cruise Orbit Determination team, whose responsibilities included determining the spacecraft state, predicting the future trajectory, and quantifying the uncertainty associated with those estimates. In particular, we will focus on spacecraft dynamic modeling, small forces due to attitude control, radiometric tracking data, filter strategies, uncertainty quantification, and responses to unexpected flight situations. We will also provide analysis of reconstructed maneuvers, small forces, and delivery accuracy at Mars arrival.

Seubert, Jill↗
NASA NTRS2019

Navigation performance of the 2018 InSight Mars Lander mission

The NASA InSight spacecraft was launched successfully from Vandenberg Air Force Base on an Atlas V 401 launch vehicle on May 5, 2018 and landed on November 26, 2018. Accurate targeting to the atmospheric entry point by the Navigation team achieved by carefully controlling the final entry flight path angle to -12.0 degrees with a tolerance of +/- 0.21 degrees. This paper will describe how the InSight Navigation team met this difficult task in the presence of frequent unbalanced thrusting for attitude control. The continuous correction for this unplanned ∆V far exceeded pre-launch expectations and proved a challenge to predict accurately.

Wallace, Mark↗
NASA NTRS2018

2018 Mars Insight Mission Design and Navigation Overview

Originally scheduled for a launch in the 2016 Earth to Mars opportunity, NASA’s Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy, and Heat Transport (InSight) mission will launch the next lander to Mars in May-June 2018 arriving to the Red Planet in November 2018. Derived from the Phoenix mission which successfully landed on Mars in May 2008, the InSight Entry, Descent, and Landing system will place a lander in the Elysium Planitia region. This paper specifies the mission and navigation requirements set by the Project and how the final mission and navigation design satisfies those requirements.

Abilleira, Fernando↗
NASA NTRS2017

Batch Sequential Estimation with Non-Uniform Measurements and Non-Stationary Noise

Sequential estimation using the traditional discrete Kalman filter typically assumes the measurement time and state update time are coincident. This is often a poor assumption in realistic measurement scenarios where the data can be received from multiple sources at differing times. This paper develops the necessary algorithm adjustments needed for the Kalman filter to readily process measurement data that arrive at varying times and with non-stationary noise. The algorithm is applied to a relevant problem of orbit determination using one-way uplink radiometric tracking of a spacecraft (in the present case a Mars orbiter).

Seubert, Jill↗
NASA NTRS2016

Final Mission and Navigation Design for the 2016 Mars InSight Mission

NASA’s Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy, and Heat Transport (InSight) mission was scheduled to launch the next lander to Mars in March 2016 arriving to the Red Planet in the fall. Derived from the Phoenix mission which successfully landed on Mars in May 2008, the InSight Entry, Descent, and Landing system will place a lander in the Elysium Planitia region. This paper specifies the mission and navigation requirements set by the Project and how the final mission and navigation design satisfies those requirements. Background information affecting navigation including spacecraft modeling and the physical environment which influences the spacecraft motion are included. (Note from the author: The InSight launch in 2016 was suspended due to critical issues with the Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure (SEIS) instrument that could not be fixed prior to the planned launch period. This paper represents the state of the design for the 2016 mission. No attempt has been made to reflect the latest developments).

Abilleira, Fernando↗
NASA NTRS2016

Deep Space Atomic Clock Technology Demonstration Mission Onboard Navigation Analog Experiment

The timing and frequency stability provided by the Deep Space Atomic Clock (DSAC) is on par with the Deep Space Network’s ground clocks, and will enable one-way radiometric measurements with accuracy equivalent to current two-way tracking data. A demonstration unit of the clock will be launched into low Earth orbit in late 2016/early 2017 for the purpose of validating DSAC’s performance in the space environment. GPS data collected throughout the mission will be utilized not only for precise clock estimation, but also as a proxy for deep space tracking data. Through careful processing of GPS Doppler data and limited modeling fidelity representative of onboard capabilities, onboard orbit solutions can be compared to higher-fidelity ground solutions, demonstrating DSAC’s viability as an onboard navigation instrument in conditions typical for a low altitude Mars orbiter.

Seubert, Jill↗
NASA NTRS2016

Preliminary Investigation of Onboard Orbit Determination Using Deep Space Atomic Clock Based Radio Tracking

The Deep Space Atomic Clock mission is developing a small, mercury ion atomic clock with Allan deviation of less than 1e-14 at one day (current estimates < 3e-15) for a yearlong space demonstration beginning late- 2016/early-2017. DSAC’s stability yields one-way radiometric data precision on par with current two-way data. Uplink one-way tracking with an appropriately configured radio enables the possibility of onboard, autonomous radio navigation. This study examines the modeling needed to efficiently process this data for an onboard implementation.

Ely, Todd A.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Utilization of the Deep Space Atomic Clock for Europa Gravitational Tide Recovery

Estimation of Europa's gravitational tide can provide strong evidence of the existence of a subsurface liquid ocean. Due to limited close approach tracking data, a Europa flyby mission suffers strong coupling between the gravity solution quality and tracking data quantity and quality. This work explores utilizing Low Gain Antennas with the Deep Space Atomic Clock (DSAC) to provide abundant high accuracy uplink-only radiometric tracking data. DSAC's performance, expected to exhibit an Allan Deviation of less than 3e-15 at one day, provides long-term stability and accuracy on par with the Deep Space Network ground clocks, enabling one-way radiometric tracking data with accuracy equivalent to that of its two-way counterpart. The feasibility of uplink-only Doppler tracking via the coupling of LGAs and DSAC and the expected Doppler data quality are presented. Violations of the Kalman filter's linearization assumptions when state perturbations are included in the flyby analysis results in poor determination of the Europa gravitational tide parameters. B-plane targeting constraints are statistically determined, and a solution to the linearization issues via pre-flyby approach orbit determination is proposed and demonstrated.

Seubert, Jill↗
NASA NTRS2014

Advancing Navigation, Timing, and Science with the Deep Space Atomic Clock

NASA's Deep Space Atomic Clock mission is developing a small, highly stable mercury ion atomic clock with an Allan deviation of at most 1e-14 at one day, and with current estimates near 3e-15. This stability enables one-way radiometric tracking data with accuracy equivalent to and, in certain conditions, better than current two-way deep space tracking data; allowing a shift to a more efficient and flexible one-way deep space navigation architecture. DSAC-enabled one-way tracking will benefit navigation and radio science by increasing the quantity and quality of tracking data. Additionally, DSAC would be a key component to fully-autonomous onboard radio navigation useful for time-sensitive situations. Potential deep space applications of DSAC are presented, including orbit determination of a Mars orbiter and gravity science on a Europa flyby mission.

radio science↗
NASA NTRS2013

The Deep Space Atomic Clock: Ushering in a New Paradigm for Radio Navigation and Science

The Deep Space Atomic Clock (DSAC) mission will demonstrate the on-orbit performance of a high-accuracy, high-stability miniaturized mercury ion atomic clock during a year-long experiment in Low Earth Orbit. DSAC's timing error requirement provides the frequency stability necessary to perform deep space navigation based solely on one-way radiometric tracking data. Compared to a two-way tracking paradigm, DSAC-enabled one-way tracking will benefit navigation and radio science by increasing the quantity and quality of tracking data. Additionally, DSAC also enables fully-autonomous onboard navigation useful for time-sensitive situations. The technology behind the mercury ion atomic clock and a DSAC mission overview are presented. Example deep space applications of DSAC, including navigation of a Mars orbiter and Europa flyby gravity science, highlight the benefits of DSAC-enabled one-way Doppler tracking.

atomic clock↗