Distributed angle‐only orbit determination algorithm for non‐cooperative spacecraft based on factor graph

Abstract Bayesian filtering provides an effective approach for the orbit determination of a non‐cooperative target using angle measurements from multiple CubeSats. However, existing methods face challenges such as low reliability and limited estimation accuracy. Two distributed filtering algorithms based on factor graphs employed in the sub‐parent and distributed cluster spacecraft architectures are proposed. Two appropriate factor graphs representing different cluster spacecraft structures are designed and implement distributed Bayesian filtering within these models. The Gaussian messages transmitted between nodes and the probability distributions of variable nodes are calculated using the derived non‐linear Gaussian belief propagation algorithm. Gaussian messages propagate from the deputy spacecraft to the chief spacecraft in the sub‐parent spacecraft architecture, demonstrating that the estimation accuracy converges to the centralised extended Kalman filter (EKF). Simulation results indicate that the algorithm enhances system robustness in observation node failures without compromising accuracy. In the distributed spacecraft architecture, neighbouring spacecraft iteratively exchanges Gaussian messages. The accuracy of the algorithm can rapidly approach the centralised EKF, benefiting from the efficient and unbiased transmission of observational information. Compared to existing distributed consensus filtering algorithms, the proposed algorithm improves estimation accuracy and reduces the number of iterations needed to achieve consensus.