Autonomous Functions of NOZOMI Attitude and Orbit Control System and Mars Imaging Camera

NOZOMI spacecraft was launched on July 4 (JST), 1998 toward Mars. Due to some malfunctions in orbit, NOZOMI unfortunately could not be entered into Martian orbit and expected observation missions around Mars were not performed. However, some autonomous or automatic functions which were prepared to realize the missions were demonstrated ill orbit. This paper describes the autonomous or automatic control functions of NOZOMI AOCS (Attitude and Orbit Control System) and the autonomous imaging function of MIC (Mars Imaging Camera). AOCS autonomous functions were very useful in real in-orbit operation after the telemetry function had lost. The autonomous imaging function of MIC was tested using Moon as a tracking target.