9. Optical/Pulsar Integrated Autonomous Navigation Technology

In this chapter, the fusion of optical autonomous navigation and pulsar-based autonomous navigation will be studied. The former can provide priori state information to the latter, while the latter can enhance the former’s performance. Sections 9.1 and 9.2 briefly review measurement equations of optical autonomous navigation and pulsar-based autonomous navigation, respectively. Section 9.3 studies more deeply the navigation beacon planning algorithm. For the integrated navigation system fused on a single optical beacon and pulsar, the optimal beacons configuration is investigated based on geometric observability analysis. For a general optical/pulsar fused navigation system, the onboard planning algorithm of navigation beacons based on dynamic observability analysis is also studied. Section 9.4 presents optical/pulsar integrated navigation filtering. In Sect. 9.5, numerical simulation of the optical/pulsar integrated autonomous navigation technology for deep-space transfer, approaching, and surrounding phases are provided.