Citation
Abstract
The tracking accuracy of low earth orbiters (below ~3000 km altitude) can be brought below 10 cm with a variety of differential techniques that exploit the Global Positioning System (GPS). All of these techniques require a precisely known global network of GPS ground receivers and a receiver aboard the user satellite, and all simultaneously estimate the user and GPS satellite orbits. Three basic approaches are the geometric, dynamic, and non-dynamic strategies. The last combines dynamic GPS solutions with a geometric user solution. Two powerful extensions of the non-dynamic strategy show considerable promise. The first uses an optimized synthesis of dynamics and geometry in the user solution, while the second uses a novel gravitv-adjustment method to exploit data from repeat ground tracks. These techniques will offer sub-decimeter accuracy for dynamically unpredictable satellites duwn to the lowest possible altitudes.
Details
- Volume
- 42-91
- Published
- November 15, 1987
- Pages
- 29–45
- File Size
- 943.6 KB