Orbit Determination of Highly Eccentric Orbits using a RAVEN Telescope
Abstract
For the past eight years, the small automated telescope Raven has been tested in detecting and tracking deep space objects. As the Raven has proven successful in tracking this regular and predictable orbit, its one arc-second accuracy made it a perfect candidate to attempt to accurately track the less predictable Highly Eccentric Orbit (HEO) objects. Ranging data was obtained from the Sirius satellite radio company for the Sirius3 satellite (Satellite Control Center (SCC) # 26626). This satellite was chosen for its long dwell time over the United States and for its favorable Raven tracking conditions. Angles-only data obtained from another Raven telescope located at the AMOS Remote Maui Experiment (RME) facility was used to track the satellite of interest. Then the Analytical Graphics, Inc. Satellite Tool Kit Orbit Determination (STK/OD) program was used to compare the accuracy of the orbit prediction using ranging tracking data from Sirius and angles-only tracking data from Raven. This paper shows the improvement in orbit determination uncertainty obtained by adding Raven observations to the ranging data. The Raven angles data improved the orbit plane uncertainty and eccentricity estimate differences by over 80% when used with the range observations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA439558
Entities
People
- Michael L. Thrall
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School