Space Systems/loral, LLC

Mark D McLaren

Ahmed A Kamel

Donald W Gamble

Jonathan Sheffield

Marc Takahashi

A novel Parametric Systematic Error Correction (ParSEC) system is disclosed which provides improved system accuracy for image navigation and registration (INR). This system may be employed in any suitable imaging system and, more specifically, to all imaging systems that exhibit systematic distortion. The ParSEC system may be employed to any such system regardless of sensing type (remote or in situ) or imaging media (photon or charged particle) and is further applicable to corrected imaging of any celestial body currently detectable to remove distortion and systematic error from the imaging system employed. The ParSEC system of the instant invention comprises a software algorithm that generates at least about 12 correction coefficients for each of the INR system measurements such as stars, visible landmarks, infrared (IR) landmarks and earth edges. An iterative estimation algorithm such as, for example, least squares or Kalman filters may be employed to determine the at least about 12 correction coefficients from each set of measurement residuals. The improved image products provide more accurate weather forecasting such as wind velocity and temperature.

Image navigation method using parametric systematic error correction

A spacecraft ground loop controller (GLC), located on the Earth, interfaces with a satellite ground station receiving spacecraft telemetry from the downlink baseband equipment and automatically sending spacecraft commands through the command uplink baseband equipment to control the attitude of an orbiting spacecraft and achieve partial orbit control using commanded thruster firings and magnetic torquer polarity and magnitude. A cooperative approach of using all available thrusters, of both the primary and redundant strings, provides greater fuel savings.

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Redwood City, CA, United States of America

Mark D McLaren