Geosynchronous satellite maneuver detection and orbit recovery using ground based optical tracking

Geosynchronous satellite orbit maintenance is a very important issue. Satellites maneuver frequently requiring the ability to detect unknown maneuvers for target satellites and quickly recover an accurate orbit. This study uses angles only ground based optical tracking to detect maneuvers and recover orbits for geosynchronous satellites. Using the Analytical Graphics Inc. Orbit Determination Tool Kit sequential estimation software, a sequential estimation filter was "tuned" and validated in various ways. Then, a parametric study of maneuver size and time required to detect a maneuver was done via simulation. Simulated maneuvers ranging from Av's of 0.01 m/s to 1.0 m/s are discussed. Also examined are multiple methods to recover the orbit after such maneuvers are detected. Orbits are recovered for simulated maneuvers and for a real data case of unknown maneuver size. This work is important towards developing more automatic methods of detecting maneuvers for a large population of active geosynchronous satellites. Specific contributions made by this thesis include the following:

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2006

Author dc:creator

• Aaron, Benjamin S. (Benjamin Samuel)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Richard I. Abbot, Jayant Sharma and Jeffrey A. Hoffman.

• Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/36175

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/36175