Linear covariance analysis techniques to generate navigation and sensor requirements for the safe and precise landing – integrated capabilities evolution (SPLICE) project

Deriving lander navigation performance requirements depends on the complex interaction between the guidance, navigation, and control system, mission concept of operations, vehicle configuration, the trajectory profile, actuators, disturbance accelerations and torques, environment uncertainty, and top-level mission constraints. This paper summarizes the linear covari-ance analysis techniques employed to quickly and reliably derive and evaluate the navigation and sensor requirements for multiple landing missions. The detailed formulation supports closed-loop, six degree-of-freedom GN&C analysis for entry, descent, and landing (EDL) for both atmospheric and non-atmospheric flight regimes. Although the theoretical developments of this paper are in context of EDL to support the Safe and Precise Landing – Integrated Capabilities Evolution (SPLICE) project, they are extensible to more general applications such as ascent, aerocapture, or other flight phases involving powered flight with and without aerodynamic affects.