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At least 19 records

A study of the effects of state transition matrix approximations

The effects of using an approximate state transition matrix in orbit estimation are investigated. The approximate state transition matrix results when higher order geopotential terms in the equations of motion are ignored in the formation of the variational equations. Two methods of orbit estimation are considered: the differential correction procedure (DC) and the extended Kalman filter (EKF). The system used for the study is the Research & Development version of the Goddard Trajectory Determination System. The effects of the approximation are analyzed on a number of orbits. These orbits of various inclinations and semimajor axes. Other parameters studied include geopotential models and DC arc length.

May, J. A.↗

An Analytical State Transition Matrix for Orbits Perturbed by an Oblate Spheroid

An analytical state transition matrix and its inverse, which include the short period and secular effects of the second zonal harmonic, were developed from the nonsingular PS satellite theory. The fact that the independent variable in the PS theory is not time is in no respect disadvantageous, since any explicit analytical solution must be expressed in the true or eccentric anomaly. This is shown to be the case for the simple conic matrix. The PS theory allows for a concise, accurate, and algorithmically simple state transition matrix. The improvement over the conic matrix ranges from 2 to 4 digits accuracy.

Mueller, A. C.↗

Universal Keplerian state transition matrix

A completely general method for computing the Keplerian state transition matrix in terms of Goodyear's universal variables is presented. This includes a new scheme for solving Kepler's problem which is a necessary first step to computing the transition matrix. The Kepler problem is solved in terms of a new independent variable requiring the evaluation of only one transcendental function. Furthermore, this transcendental function may be conveniently evaluated by means of a Gaussian continued fraction.

Shepperd, S. W.↗

An analytical state transition matrix for an orbit perturbed by oblateness

A new analytical state transition matrix is presented. This transition matrix contains the two-body terms and the secular and short periodic terms due to the J2 oblateness perturbation. The matrix is derived from a satellite theory which uses a set of 8 canonical elements with the true anomaly as the independent variable. This theory was chosen because of its accuracy and concise formulation. It presents no problems concerning the accuracy of the mean motion, which is typical for classical satellite theories. Numerical experiments show the J2 transition matrix to be superior to the simple two-body matrix.

Mueller, A. C.↗

Approximate Cartesian state transition matrix

Based on a Taylor series expansion, an easily-computed approximation to the Cartesian state transition matrix is presented for a general velocity-independent force field. Suitable for the short time intervals encountered in onboard navigation applications of the extended Kalman filter, it provides approximately five decimal digits of accuracy for earth orbiting spacecraft with update intervals of one minute, and better accuracy for shorter intervals.

Markley, F. L.↗

A Numerical Scheme for Ordinary Differential Equations Having Time Varying and Nonlinear Coefficients Based on the State Transition Matrix

A variable order method of integrating initial value ordinary differential equations that is based on the state transition matrix has been developed. The method has been evaluated for linear time variant and nonlinear systems of equations. While it is more complex than most other methods, it produces exact solutions at arbitrary time step size when the time variation of the system can be modeled exactly by a polynomial. Solutions to several nonlinear problems exhibiting chaotic behavior have been computed. Accuracy of the method has been demonstrated by comparison with an exact solution and with solutions obtained by established methods.

Bartels, Robert E.↗

A Numerical Method for Computing the State Transition Matrix Using Poincare Integral Invariants

The Poincare integral invariants describe the volumes of sets in Hamiltonian phase space. We use these invariants to derive a new numerical procedure for obtaining the state transition matrix (STM), which can be applied to both conservative and nonconservative systems. The method is analogous to a finite difference approximation of the STM, where perturbed states are numerically propagated along with the reference trajectory. We discuss the mathematical similarities between this new STM and existing methods, show numerical results for orbital motion and uncertainty propagation, and discuss new insights afforded by the Hamiltonian properties of phase flow.

state transition matrix↗

A Time Integration Algorithm Based on the State Transition Matrix for Structures with Time Varying and Nonlinear Properties

A variable order method of integrating the structural dynamics equations that is based on the state transition matrix has been developed. The method has been evaluated for linear time variant and nonlinear systems of equations. When the time variation of the system can be modeled exactly by a polynomial it produces nearly exact solutions for a wide range of time step sizes. Solutions of a model nonlinear dynamic response exhibiting chaotic behavior have been computed. Accuracy of the method has been demonstrated by comparison with solutions obtained by established methods.

Bartels, Robert E.↗

Using integrals of the state transition matrix for efficient transient-response computations

An iterative technique for the computation of lower-order state systems with poles at the origin (such as aircraft lateral dynamics) or with time-polynomial inputs is developed and demonstrated. The integrated input or output signals are computed using the integrals of the state transition matrix, thus reducing the system order and computation time. In an application to the lateral response of a DC-8 aircraft (Grunwald, 1981), this method required only 7824 multiplication or addition operations (at fourth order) to achieve the accuracy obtained in 15,012 operations by a conventional sixth-order computation.

Grunwald, A. J.↗

Numerical Computation of a Continuous-thrust State Transition Matrix Incorporating Accurate Hardware and Ephemeris Models

A significant body of work exists showing that providing a nonlinear programming (NLP) solver with expressions for the problem constraint gradient substantially increases the speed of program execution and can also improve the robustness of convergence, especially for local optimizers. Calculation of these derivatives is often accomplished through the computation of spacecraft's state transition matrix (STM). If the two-body gravitational model is employed as is often done in the context of preliminary design, closed form expressions for these derivatives may be provided. If a high fidelity dynamics model, that might include perturbing forces such as the gravitational effect from multiple third bodies and solar radiation pressure is used then these STM's must be computed numerically. We present a method for the power hardward model and a full ephemeris model. An adaptive-step embedded eight order Dormand-Prince numerical integrator is discussed and a method for the computation of the time of flight derivatives in this framework is presented. The use of these numerically calculated derivatieves offer a substantial improvement over finite differencing in the context of a global optimizer. Specifically the inclusion of these STM's into the low thrust missiondesign tool chain in use at NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center allows for an increased preliminary mission design cadence.

Low Thrust↗

Closed-form integrator for the quaternion (euler angle) kinematics equations

The invention is embodied in a method of integrating kinematics equations for updating a set of vehicle attitude angles of a vehicle using 3-dimensional angular velocities of the vehicle, which includes computing an integrating factor matrix from quantities corresponding to the 3-dimensional angular velocities, computing a total integrated angular rate from the quantities corresponding to a 3-dimensional angular velocities, computing a state transition matrix as a sum of (a) a first complementary function of the total integrated angular rate and (b) the integrating factor matrix multiplied by a second complementary function of the total integrated angular rate, and updating the set of vehicle attitude angles using the state transition matrix. Preferably, the method further includes computing a quanternion vector from the quantities corresponding to the 3-dimensional angular velocities, in which case the updating of the set of vehicle attitude angles using the state transition matrix is carried out by (a) updating the quanternion vector by multiplying the quanternion vector by the state transition matrix to produce an updated quanternion vector and (b) computing an updated set of vehicle attitude angles from the updated quanternion vector. The first and second trigonometric functions are complementary, such as a sine and a cosine. The quantities corresponding to the 3-dimensional angular velocities include respective averages of the 3-dimensional angular velocities over plural time frames. The updating of the quanternion vector preserves the norm of the vector, whereby the updated set of vehicle attitude angles are virtually error-free.

Whitmore, Stephen A.↗

Simulation of dc spacecraft power systems using state variable techniques

The modeling and simulation of large dc spacecraft power systems necessitates considering the spacecraft power system as an interconnection of modular components. This paper presents a state-variable-based approach for dc spacecraft power system modeling and simulation. Each modular component is treated as a two-port network, and a state model is written with the port voltages as the inputs. The state model of a component is solved independently of the other components using its state transition matrix. The state variables of each component are updated assuming that the inputs are constant. Network analysis principles are then utilized to calculate the component inputs.

Nelms, R. M.↗

Four-body trajectory optimization

A comprehensive optimization program has been developed for computing fuel-optimal trajectories between the earth and a point in the sun-earth-moon system. It presents methods for generating fuel optimal two-impulse trajectories which may originate at the earth or a point in space and fuel optimal three-impulse trajectories between two points in space. The extrapolation of the state vector and the computation of the state transition matrix are accomplished by the Stumpff-Weiss method. The cost and constraint gradients are computed analytically in terms of the terminal state and the state transition matrix. The 4-body Lambert problem is solved by using the Newton-Raphson method. An accelerated gradient projection method is used to optimize a 2-impulse trajectory with terminal constraint. The Davidon's Variance Method is used both in the accelerated gradient projection method and the outer loop of a 3-impulse trajectory optimization problem.

Pu, C. L.↗

Modeling of DC spacecraft power systems

Future spacecraft power systems must be capable of supplying power to various loads. This delivery of power may necessitate the use of high-voltage, high-power dc distribution systems to transmit power from the source to the loads. Using state-of-the-art power conditioning electronics such as dc-dc converters, complex series and parallel configurations may be required at the interface between the source and the distribution system and between the loads and the distribution system. This research will use state-variables to model and simulate a dc spacecraft power system. Each component of the dc power system will be treated as a multiport network, and a state model will be written with the port voltages as the inputs. The state model of a component will be solved independently from the other components using its state transition matrix. A state-space averaging method is developed first in general for any dc-dc switching converter, and then demonstrated in detail for the particular case of the boost power stage. General equations for both steady-state (dc) and dynamic effects (ac) are obtained, from which important transfer functions are derived and applied to a special case of the boost power stage.

Berry, F. C.↗