Inter-Satellite Ranging

Author: Tianjiang Shuo

Website: https://cislunarspace.cn

Definition

A technique for direct distance measurement between spacecraft through bidirectional radio signal exchange, already well-established in GNSS inter-satellite links with high measurement accuracy and ease of implementation. The paper notes that due to gravitational symmetry, inter-satellite ranging alone cannot achieve autonomous orbit determination for satellites near cislunar space; operation in regions of strong gravitational asymmetry (such as DRO orbits or near libration points) is a prerequisite for orbit uniqueness. Through bidirectional inter-satellite ranging data between cislunar spacecraft, combined with relativistic corrections, libration point orbit determination accuracy with 1 mm ranging error surpasses that achieved by ground-based methods.

Application Value

在轨道设计阶段，可usingThis轨道类型构建候选轨道池，为星座部署和任务轨道选择provides参考。在轨运行时，This轨道特性可used for轨道维持策略设计，降低推进剂消耗。在轨道转移规划中，其稳定流形结构可指导低能量转移走廊的搜索。

Related Concepts

• 运行轨道库（Operational Orbit Library）
• 月球自由返回轨道（Lunar Free-Return Orbit, LFO）
• 临界轨道（Critical Orbit）
• 准周期远距离逆行轨道（Quasi-Periodic Distant Retrograde Orbit, QPDRO）

References

• 丛佃伟 等 - 2025 - 地月空间航天器自主导航技术及研究进展