Modern Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Control

Modern Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation and Control: From System Modelling to AI and Innovative Applications provides a comprehensive foundation of theory and applications of spacecraft GNC, from fundamentals to advanced concepts including modern AI-based architectures with focus on software and hardware practical applications. Divided into 3 parts, this book begins with a historical introduction of spacecraft GNC and proceeds to discuss basic tools (part 1) including an overview of the main dynamical models in space, spacecraft attitude dynamics and stability analysis, sensors and actuators. Part 2 covers guidance, navigation and control including on-board and ground-based methods using applications such as launchers, rendezvous, landing, gravity assist, low thrust, and attitude guidance. It also discusses classical and novel control techniques, and software and hardware validation and verification. The final part discusses AI and modern applications featuring different applicative scenarios with particular attention on artificial intelligence and the possible benefits when applied to spacecraft GNC. Presenting a wide and balanced treatment of spacecraft GNC with fundamental theory, modern applications and artificial intelligence, this new book is for aerospace engineers, GNC/AOCS engineers, avionic developers, and AIV/AIT technicians. Describes the application of artificial intelligence to spacecraft Presents modern and cutting-edge algorithms currently used in research and applications Covers the basic tools and ideas to derive GNC requirements from the main mission