Adaptive Robust Cubature Filtering-Based Autonomous Navigation for Cislunar Spacecraft Using Inter-Satellite Ranging and Angle Data
Abstract
1. Introduction
- An autonomous navigation method for two near-coplanar Earth–Moon spacecraft: Based on the LiAISON framework, the proposed method combines inter-satellite ranging with inter-satellite stellar background angle measurement. By incorporating angular observations, it addresses the challenge of achieving high-precision state estimation for two spacecraft in near-coplanar orbits.
- Improved convergence speed of the navigation filter: Compared to the conventional LiAISON method and the standard ARCKF, the proposed navigation scheme and algorithm significantly reduce the convergence time of state estimation errors. This is achieved by augmenting the measurement set with angular data and adaptively tuning the forgetting factor for process noise covariance estimation via a chi-square test.
- Enhanced robustness of the navigation algorithm: Relative to the standard ARCKF, the improved method further strengthens the filter’s ability to suppress measurement anomalies. By adjusting the forgetting factor adaptively based on the chi-square test, it mitigates filter fluctuations caused by abnormal measurements and increases overall operational stability.
2. System Model for Orbit Determination
2.1. State Equation
2.2. Measurement Equation
2.2.1. Dual One-Way Ranging
2.2.2. Astronometric Angle Measurement
3. Filtering Algorithm
3.1. Cubature Kalman Filter
- (1)
- Set initial parameters , , , and .
- (2)
- Calculate the volume point at k − 1 based on volume transformation.
- (3)
- Time update:
- (4)
- Filter gain update:
- (5)
- Calculate filter value:
3.2. Enhanced Adaptive Robust Cubature Kalman Filter
4. Observability Theory
5. Simulation Results and Analysis
5.1. Simulation Conditions and Parameter Selection
5.2. Simulation Results
5.2.1. Accuracy Analysis of Method
5.2.2. Comparative Analysis of Algorithm Performance
5.2.3. Analysis of Factors Influencing Algorithm Performance
- (1)
- Impact of Initial Errors
- (2)
- Impact of Initial Forgetting Factor
6. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
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| No. | Orbit Type | Initial Orbital State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | L4 Planar Short-Period Orbit | [0.591560618, 0.806886461, 0, −0.022946517, 0.057017081, 0] |
| 2 | DRO | [1.143936419, 0, 0, 0, −0.471735422, 0] |
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Simulation Period | 1 January 2024 00:00:00 UTC to 29 February 2024 24:00:00 UTC |
| Step Size | 15 min |
| Initial State Vector X | [0.591560618, 0.806886461, 0, −0.022946517, 0.057017081, 0, 1.143936419, 0, 0, 0, −0.471735422, 0] |
| Initial Position Error (per axis) | 10 km |
| Initial Velocity Error (per axis) | 1 × 10−3 km/s |
| Process Noise Covariance Matrix Q | |
| Inter-satellite Ranging Error | 1 m |
| Astrometric Angle Measurement Error | 1″ |
| Initial Position Error (km) | Initial Velocity Error (m/s) | Orbit | Position Error (m) | Velocity Error (m/s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1 | L4 | 631.26 | 0.0050 |
| DRO | 229.27 | 0.0018 | ||
| 50 | 1 | L4 | 684.37 | 0.0075 |
| DRO | 256.29 | 0.0022 | ||
| 100 | 1 | L4 | 665.44 | 0.0074 |
| DRO | 265.43 | 0.0026 | ||
| 10 | 10 | L4 | 655.77 | 0.0053 |
| DRO | 255.63 | 0.0019 | ||
| 10 | 100 | L4 | 805.97 | 0.0083 |
| DRO | 376.32 | 0.0025 |
| dk | Orbit | Position Error (m) | Velocity Error (m/s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | L4 | - | - |
| DRO | - | - | |
| 0.6 | L4 | 1070.41 | 0.0026 |
| DRO | 352.5856 | 0.0047 | |
| 0.9 | L4 | 631.26 | 0.0050 |
| DRO | 229.27 | 0.0018 |
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Xu, J.; Ma, X.; Chen, X. Adaptive Robust Cubature Filtering-Based Autonomous Navigation for Cislunar Spacecraft Using Inter-Satellite Ranging and Angle Data. Aerospace 2026, 13, 100. https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace13010100
Xu J, Ma X, Chen X. Adaptive Robust Cubature Filtering-Based Autonomous Navigation for Cislunar Spacecraft Using Inter-Satellite Ranging and Angle Data. Aerospace. 2026; 13(1):100. https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace13010100
Chicago/Turabian StyleXu, Jun, Xin Ma, and Xiao Chen. 2026. "Adaptive Robust Cubature Filtering-Based Autonomous Navigation for Cislunar Spacecraft Using Inter-Satellite Ranging and Angle Data" Aerospace 13, no. 1: 100. https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace13010100
APA StyleXu, J., Ma, X., & Chen, X. (2026). Adaptive Robust Cubature Filtering-Based Autonomous Navigation for Cislunar Spacecraft Using Inter-Satellite Ranging and Angle Data. Aerospace, 13(1), 100. https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace13010100

