Development of Methods for Navigational Referencing of Circumlunar Spacecrafts to the Selenocentric Dynamic Coordinate System

Abstract

The initial form of present-day space optical observations contain considerable geometrical and brightness distortions. This problem can be solved based on geometrical correction and transformation of reference object coordinates into commonly accepted cartographic projections. In this work, the method of coordinate transformation to the reference selenocentric dynamic system by using a base of reference selenographic objects as electronic maps is considered. The transformation process presupposes the formation of a photogrammetrically corrected image and identification of observed objects included into the electronic maps. Height data of on the Moon’s surface are determined from known observed selenographic coordinates with respect to reference objects by software tools. Preliminary selenographic coordinates can be determined using both ground positional observations and onboard goniometric devices such as a laser interferometer.