A strapdown inertial navigation system for space launch vehicles: Initial alignment accuracy and periodic calibrations

Reaching initial alignment accuracy and implementation of periodic calibrations during the time of INS performance are problems to solve with the view to embedding Strapdown INS in control systems of space launch vehicles and spacecraft. Possible solutions to these problems are proposed. The efficiency of the proposed techniques is proved by the mathematical simulation and experimentally with the help of the inertial measurement unit IMU-501 developed and produced by Research and Production Company “Optolink” (Russia).