Fully Autonomous Orbit Determination and Synchronization for Satellite Navigation and Communication Systems in Halo Orbits

This paper presents a solution for autonomous orbit determination and time synchronization of spacecraft in Halo orbits around Lagrange points using inter-satellite links. Lagrange points are stable positions in the gravitational field of two large bodies that allow for a sustained presence of a spacecraft in a specific region. However, a challenge in operating at these points is the lack of fixed landmarks for orbit determination. The proposed solution involves using inter-satellite links to perform range and range-rate measurements, allowing for accurate computation of the spacecraft's orbit parameters without the need for any facilities on Earth. Simulations using a fleet of three satellites in Near Rectilinear Halo Orbits around the Earth-Moon Lagrange point, proposed for the Lunar Gateway stations, were conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach. The results show that inter-satellite links can provide reliable and accurate solutions for orbit determination with a DRMS error lower than one meter (90th percentile) and synchronization errors of around one nanosecond. This solution paves the way for a fully autonomous fleet of spacecraft that can be used for observation, telecommunication, and navigation missions.