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Coarse initial orbit determination for a geostationary satellite using single-epoch GPS measurements
Ghangho Kim1, Chongwon Kim2, Changdon Kee3
1School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and SNU-IAMD Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-744, Korea. chew79@snu.ac.kr.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 4, 2015
Summary
This study presents a new algorithm for tracking geostationary orbit (GEO) satellites using Global Positioning System (GPS) data, even with limited satellite visibility. The method accurately determines satellite orbits when traditional solutions fail.
Area of Science:
- Space Science
- Orbital Mechanics
- Satellite Technology
Background:
- Geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite tracking is crucial for space operations.
- Traditional methods struggle with sparse Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite visibility.
- Accurate orbit determination is essential for satellite navigation and station-keeping.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a practical algorithm for determining GEO satellite orbits using limited GPS measurements.
- To overcome limitations of classical single-point solutions (SPS) in sparse visibility scenarios.
- To validate the algorithm's accuracy and reliability for GEO satellite applications.
Main Methods:
- A novel algorithm utilizing a reduced three-component state vector for GEO satellite orbit determination.
- Application of the algorithm to simulated GPS measurements from two or three satellites.
- Validation using an extended Kalman filter (EKF) with a robust dynamic model.
Main Results:
- The algorithm accurately determines GEO satellite states even when classical SPS is unattainable.
- Position errors were less than 40 km, and often within several kilometers under specific geometric conditions.
- Extended Kalman filter tests confirmed the algorithm's reliability and reduced divergence probability.
Conclusions:
- The proposed algorithm offers a practical and accurate solution for GEO satellite orbit determination with sparse GPS data.
- It provides a viable alternative to traditional methods when GPS visibility is limited.
- The method enhances the robustness of GEO satellite orbit determination and tracking.
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