SIMULATIONS OF GEODETIC POSITIONING BY THE METHOD OF CONTINUOUS TRACES.

Abstract

The 'Method of Continuous Traces' allows the geodetic positions to be recovered from uninterrupted optical observations of sun-illuminated passive satellites. The observational material for the method consists of sets of photographic plates on which unbroken traces of satellites are recorded against the stellar background. A series of numerical simulations designed to establish quantitatively its theoretical potential are presented. It is found that with suitable and altogether practical geometry, the method of continuous traces is sharply determinate and can recover geodetic positions to extremely high accuracies. Accordingly, it is recommended that a comprehensive computer program be developed to permit full-scale operational testing of the method with actual data. Should the Method of Continuous Traces be found in practice to approach its theoretical expectations, it will clearly have far reaching implications in geodetic photogrammetry. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 07, 1966
Accession Number
AD0628184

Entities

People

  • Duane C. Brown

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Geometry
  • Materials
  • Observation
  • Photogrammetry
  • Photographic Materials
  • Photographic Plates
  • Photography
  • Simulations
  • Simulators

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Geodesy
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris