Orbit Estimation Algorithms for a Microsatellite Rendezvous With a Non-Cooperative Target

Abstract

This study investigated the minimum requirements to establish a satellite tracking system architecture for a microsatellite to rendezvous with a non-cooperative target satellite. A prototype optical tracking system was reviewed with emphasis on a proposed tactical employment that could be used by technologically unsophisticated state or non-state adversaries. With the tracking system architecture selected, simulated tracking data was processed with a Non-Linear Least Squares batch orbit estimation algorithm and a Bayes sequential orbit determination filter to update the target satellite's state vector.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2005
Accession Number
ADA435238

Entities

People

  • John P. Heslin

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Sensors
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Algorithms
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Astronautics
  • Detectors
  • Differential Equations
  • Equations Of Motion
  • Geometry
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Maneuvering Satellites
  • Optical Detectors
  • Rendezvous
  • Satellite Orbits
  • Space Objects
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Orbits
  • Surveillance

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.
  • Statistical inference.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites
  • Space - Space Objects
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers