On-board vision-based spacecraft estimation algorithm for small body exploration

A methodology is summarized for designing on-board state estimators in support of spacecraft exploration of small bodies such as asteroids and comets. This paper focuses on an estimation algorithm that incorporates two basic computer-vision measurement types: a landmark table (LMT) and a paired feature table (PFT). Several innovations are developed to incorporate these measurement types into the on-board state estimation algorithm. Simulations are provided to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach.