A simple and valid analysis method for orbit anomaly detection

A simple analysis method for orbit anomaly detection, called semi-major axis change method (SACM) was presented by using a relationship between the change of orbit parameters and velocity increments. In this method, the mean value and standard deviation of the semi-major axis change in different time intervals were first calculated according to historical data. Then, these two parameters, the mean value and standard deviation of the semi-major axis change, are chosen as basis variables and combined as an anomalous criterion. For orbit objects with different characteristic, anomalous thresholds were given in different time intervals for identifying the anomalies of the orbital objects. Finally, this method is used for low earth orbit (LEO) satellites and American Russian breakup debris. By adopting this method, the characteristics of the orbit change were given. The accuracy rate of anomaly analysis for LEO satellites and American Russian breakup debris can reach to 100%, which demonstrates that the method was rapid and valid. (C) 2011 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.