Spanos, Pol DWoffinden, Dave C2017-08-072017-08-072016-052016-04-22May 2016Bader, Nolan A.. "Autonomous Vision Navigation of Spacecraft in Lunar Orbit." (2016) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/96609">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/96609</a>.https://hdl.handle.net/1911/96609NASA aims to achieve unprecedented navigational reliability for the first manned lunar mission of the Orion spacecraft in 2023. A technique for accomplishing this is to integrate autonomous feature tracking as an added means of improving position and velocity estimation. In this thesis, a template matching algorithm and optical sensor are tested onboard three simulated lunar trajectories using linear covariance techniques under various conditions. A preliminary characterization of the camera gives insight into its ability to determine azimuth and elevation angles to points on the surface of the Moon. A navigation performance analysis shows that an optical camera sensor can aid in decreasing position and velocity errors, particularly in a loss of communication scenario. Furthermore, it is found that camera quality and computational capability are driving factors affecting the performance of such a system.application/pdfengCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.visionnavigationlunarlinear covariancefeature trackingtemplate matchingorionThesis2017-08-07