Angles Only Initial Orbit Determination: Comparison of Relative Dynamics and Inertial Dynamics Approaches with Error Analysis
Abstract
This paper investigates methods based on relative orbital dynamics to determine the motion of a space object using line-of-sight measurements collected by a space-based observer. The so-called "initial relative orbit determination" methods are typically applied to scenarios involving close proximity between the observer and the space object, i.e. scenarios in which the observer and space object are in very similar orbits. However, these methods are mathematically applicable to larger separation scenarios in which the observer and space object are in very different orbits. Previous work demonstrated an initial relative orbit determination algorithm that incorporates a closed-form relative motion solution with second order accuracy. This paper introduces a similar algorithm incorporating a third-order solution and compares its performance to the second-order method over various simulated test cases involving different observer-object scenarios. In particular, the sensitivity of these algorithms to measurement error and measurement sample rate is explored.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1121938
Entities
People
- Alex E. Sizemore
- Bradyn W. Morton
- K. R. Horneman
- T. A. Lovell
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory
- Missouri University of Science and Technology
- National Research Council
- University of Kansas