This paper investigates methods of detection and orbit determination for a two-satellite tethered system, given observation data for one of the satellites over a relatively short time. Such a task is more difficult when the system has a relatively short tether and/or significant libration. The estimation of the state of the system using the same information is also more difficult under these conditions. Two different formulations of the equations of motion of a tethered satellite system with a massless tether are used to see which results in the best performance of detection and state estimation algorithms. The two formulations involve the use of different state variables. In the first, the position and velocity of the observed satellite are used. In the second formulation, we use the position and velocity of the observed satellite and its position and velocity relative to the center of mass of the system as variables. The second formulation provides equations that may be solved approximately for small libration angles to obtain an analytical solution that describes the motion better than a similar solution based on the first formulation. However, both formulations provide essentially the same orbit determination results.


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    Title :

    Modeling Tethered Satellite Dynamics for Identification and Orbit Determination


    Additional title:

    J of Astronaut Sci


    Contributors:
    Cochran, J. E. (author) / Cho, S. (author) / Lovell, T. A. (author) / Cicci, D. A. (author)

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2000-03-01


    Size :

    20 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




    Modeling Tethered Satellite Dynamics for Identification and Orbit Determination

    Cochran, J. E. / Cho, S. / Lovell, T. A. et al. | Online Contents | 2000


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    Dynamics and Orbit Determination of Tethered Satellite Systems

    Cochran, J. E. / Cho, S. / Cheng, Y.-M. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1996


    Identification and Orbit Determination of Tethered Satellite System

    Cho, S. / Cochran, J. E. / Cicci, D. A. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1998


    Dynamics and Orbit Determination of Tethered Satellite Systems

    Cochran, J. E. / Cho, S. / Cheng, Y.-M. et al. | Online Contents | 1998