HiNAV Inertial / GNSS Hybrid Navigation System for launchers and re-entry vehicles

Through the HybrId NAVigation system (HiNAV) project, Astrium Satellites studies the hybridisation of GNSS and Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) measurements in a tight aiding / tight hybridisation architecture dedicated to the navigation function of launchers and re-entry spacecrafts. It is also a valuable solution for the safeguard function of launchers. In the frame of this project, the HiNAV product has been specified, a preliminary design has been defined accordingly, and performances have been assessed using a high fidelity simulator. In parallel a realtime test bench including a breadboard which implements the HiNAV software is currently finalized, leading HiNAV to TRL 4 at beginning of 2011, and a flight demonstration on a sounding rocket is under definition.