An Educational Framework for Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Systems in LEO and SSO Missions

This paper introduces a structured framework for understanding Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) systems in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) missions. While prior studies have addressed subsystem principles or case-specific implementations in isolation, few have integrated historical evolution, subsystem architectures, case study comparisons, and MATLAB-based simulations into a unified learning and analytical model. The novelty of this work lies in bridging this gap by presenting an integrated educational and analytical framework that links theoretical foundations to real-world applications. The framework emphasizes subsystem interactions navigation sensors, guidance algorithms, and control actuators while highlighting redundancy management and architectural choices. Case studies of Falcon 9, PSLV, and Vega-C illustrate design diversity between centralized and distributed GNC architectures, and MATLAB simulations of thrust vector control and attitude control demonstrate the translation of theory into practice. By combining these elements, the paper provides a cohesive perspective on how modern GNC systems achieve precision, stability, and robustness in orbital missions.