Absolute Triangulation Algorithms for Space Exploration

Images are an important source of information for spacecraft navigation and three-dimensional reconstruction observed space objects. Both these applications take the form a triangulation problem when camera has known attitude measurements extracted from image line sight (LOS) directions. This work provides comprehensive review history theoretical foundations triangulation. A variety classical algorithms reviewed, including number suboptimal linear methods (many LOS measurements) optimal method Hartley Sturm (only two measurements). It is shown that many-measurement case may be solved without iteration as system using new Linear Optimal Sine Triangulation (LOST) method. LOST polynomial provide same result in only measurements. The various assessed with few numerical examples, planetary terrain relative navigation, angles-only optical at Uranus, 3-D Notre-Dame de Paris, navigation.