APLNav: Development Status of an Onboard Passive Optical Terrain Relative Navigation System

Abstract

Over much of the last decade, the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory has developed and tested passive optical on-board terrain relative navigation for precision landing on the moon or small planetary bodies. This paper summarizes the development history and current status of the APLNav system that was first prototyped in 2006 and has been matured in the subsequent years under the ALHAT and Robotic Lunar Lander Development Programs. Development activities have included multiple field tests, performance tests on flight processors, and integration with guidance, navigation, and control systems.