Near-real time atmospheric density model correction using space catalog data

Several theories have been presented in regard to creating a neutral density model that is corrected or calibrated in near-real time using data from space catalogs. These theories are usually limited to a small number of frequently tracked "calibration satellites" about which information such as mass and crosssectional area is known very accurately. This work, however, attempts to validate a methodology by which drag information from all available low-altitude space objects is used to update any given density model on a comprehensive basis. The basic update and prediction algorithms and a technique to estimate true ballistic factors are derived in detail. A full simulation capability is independently verified. The process is initially demonstrated using simulated range, azimuth, and elevation observations so that issues such as required number and types of calibration satellites, density of observations, and susceptibility to atmospheric conditions can be examined. Methods of forecasting the density correction models are also validated under different atmospheric conditions.

Department dc:contributor.department

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

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2000

Author dc:creator

• Granholm, George Richard, 1976-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Ronald J. Proulx and Paul J. Cefola.

• 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/1721.1/44899

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/44899