Intro to G.N.C.

What is G.N.C.?

• Guidance, Navigation, and Control
• G.N.C. = Brains of spacecraft
• or “Google Maps for Space”

How do Maps work?

• Uses a series of steps:
  1. Idenitify candidate routes (guidance)
  2. Track current location (nav)
  3. Change your location (control)
• Of course, this all happens in a loop, refining and reworking the current plan to optimize each step

Terrestrial vs. Space

• Reference: Planned Route = Spacecraft Trajectory
• Tracking: GPS = Space Navigation (what most of this class is about)
• Moving: Walking/Driving = ENAE 432 - Controls