DETERMINATION OF ORBITS USING OPTICAL MEANS.

Abstract

The object of this thesis was to develop a method of determining the orbit of an uncooperative satellite from an observer satellite of known orbit using optical means. Using the method of Gauss, a set of equations was developed for satellites around the earth. The optical instrument is a simple telescope, mounted on an inertial platform, which reads the right ascension and declination angles. An error analysis was performed on these equations, and a computer program set up. The input data used produced unsatisfactory results, which were attributed to program error. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1964
Accession Number
AD0607041

Entities

People

  • John Ciplickas

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Equations
  • Error Analysis
  • Errors
  • Observers
  • Optical Instruments
  • Platforms
  • Stabilized Platforms
  • Telescopes

Readers

  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris
  • Space - Satellites
  • Space - Space Objects