A Role for Improved Angular Observations in Geosynchronous Orbit Determination

Abstract : The goal of this thesis showed improved angular observations aided the determination of satellite position and velocity in the geosynchronous orbit regime. Raven was a sensor developed by U. S. Air Force Research Laboratory which allowed for angular observations of satellites to be made with a standard deviation of 1 arc second (which maps into approximately 170 meters at geosynchronous altitude); this was an order of magnitude improvement over traditional angular observation techniques and represented state of the art accuracy of angular observations for geosynchronous orbit determination work. Studies showed these angular observations could be used in the orbit determination process both as the only tracking data source and as a supplement to other tracking data sources such as radar and radio transponder ranges. Results from the radio transponder range analysis were extended to cover Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) and Global Positioning System (GPS) observation types as well. The studies targeted both space surveillance and owner/operator mission support aspects of orbit determination although the emphasis was on mission support satellite operations. Parameters varied in the simulation studies included the number of observing stations, density of the angular observations, and number of nights of optical tracking.

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