Test results for an off the shelf GPS/INS during approach and landing testing of the X-40A

The X-37 is an unpiloted, reusable space vehicle that will be launched into space, orbit the earth, reenter the atmosphere and land autonomously. At the heart of the Guidance, Navigation and Control (GN&C) will be the Space Integrated GPS/INS (SIGI) system, an off the shelf navigation grade GPS/INS that has been enhanced for space and reentry environments. SIGI will provide both navigation and flight control data to the X-37´s GN&C. The X-40A is an unpiloted experimental vehicle whose shape and performance are similar to the X-37´s and was flown earlier this year to develop and test the approach and landing phase of X-37. On board the X-40A is the X-37´s SIGI, which is riding along as an experiment. The X-40A SIGI experiment provided early characterization of SIGI operation and performance with differential GPS during real world approach and landing. Characterization testing was geared toward assessment of reliability and performance of the system. The objectives were to demonstrate performance levels sufficient to meet the X-37 requirements for automatic, autonomous approach and landing, demonstrate reliability over repeated ground and flight tests and reduce risk for integration of SIGI into the vehicle and support environment. This paper presents a summary of this testing and the results to date