The authors present an improved algorithm for computing the V-Lambda solution of the matrix Riccati equation. The improvement is in the reduction of the computational load, results from the orthogonality of the eigenvector matrix that has to be solved. The orthogonality constraint reduces the number of independent parameters which define the matrix from n/sup 2/ to n (n-1)/2. The authors show how to specify the parameters, how to solve for them and how to form from them the needed eigenvector matrix. In the search for suitable parameters, the analogy between the present problem and the problem of attitude determination is exploited, resulting in the choice of Rodrigues parameters. >