Preliminary Study of Satellite Attitude Determination for the LANDSAT 7 Spacecraft

Abstract

This report presents the results of an error analysis for satellite attitude determination for the LANDSAT 7 spacecraft. The purpose of this study was (1) to evaluate the contribution of dual-antenna Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements to spacecraft attitude uncertainty and (2) to determine if spacecraft attitude could be determined to an accuracy that would allow direct mapping from LANDSAT 7 stereo pair imagery. Although preliminary, the results indicate that GPS measurements have the potential to improve spacecraft attitude if certain technical goals can be achieved associated with GPS instrumentation. The useability of stand-alone stereo pairs for direct mapping, satisfying Defense Mapping Agency (DMA) product standards, is questionable due to correlated stellar sensor errors. GPS, LANDSAT 7 spacecraft, Satellite Attitude Determination.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1994
Accession Number
ADA278876

Entities

People

  • Patrick J. Fell

Organizations

  • Naval Surface Warfare Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Acquisition
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Covariance
  • Global Positioning Systems
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Measurement
  • Models
  • Orientation (Direction)
  • Physics
  • Physics Laboratories
  • Satellite Orientation
  • Space Systems
  • Spacecraft
  • Standards
  • Statistics
  • Surface Warfare

Readers

  • Computer Vision.
  • Inertial Navigation Systems.
  • Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Technology.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers