This paper investigates the weaknesses of using the cannonball model to represent the solar radiation pressure force on an object in an orbit determination process, and it presents a number of alternative models that greatly improve the orbit determination performance. These weaknesses are rooted in the fact that the cannonball model is not a good representation of the true solar radiation pressure force acting on an arbitrary object. Using an erroneous force model results in poor estimates, inaccurate trajectory propagation, unrealistic covariances, and the inability to fit long and/or dense arcs of data. The alternative models presented are derived from a Fourier series representation of the solar radiation pressure force. The simplest instantiation of this model requires only two more parameters to be estimated, however, this results in orders of magnitude improvements in tracking accuracy. This improvement is illustrated through numerical examples of a discarded upper stage in a geosynchronous transfer orbit, and more drastically for a piece of high-area-to-mass ratio debris in a near-geosynchronous orbit. Implementation of improved solar radiation pressure models in this manner will alleviate track correlation, object identification, and sensor tasking issues that plague current catalog maintenance due to the inaccurate standard dynamic model.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Improving Space Object Catalog Maintenance Through Advances in Solar Radiation Pressure Modeling


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    2015




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English



    Classification :

    BKL:    55.54 Flugführung
    Local classification TIB:    770/7040





    False-Object Identification for Space Surveillance Catalog Maintenance

    Pittelkau, Mark | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2016



    Prospects for improving the space catalog

    Schumacher, Jr., Paul | AIAA | 1996