Abstract: Satellite tracking techniques have traditionally been limited to ground-based stations that measure a satellite's range, azimuth, elevation and range rate, The advent of high accuracy Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation techniques, however, offers alternative methods. This thesis investigates the use of GPS navigation solutions (earth-centered, earth-fixed position and velocity information) as an observation source in a weighted least- squares orbit determination process. Such an orbit determination scheme could limit dependence upon the costly and complex ground-based tracking facilities for low and medium earth orbit satellites, while providing real-time information for on-board instrumentation and mission management. This investigation included modification of the Draper Laboratory version of the Goddard Trajectory Determination System (Draper R&D GTDS) to include coordinate systems compatible with the Fifth Fundamental Catalogue (FK5) and an inertial true equator and equinox of date frame. Solid earth tide modeling was introduced for numerical integration techniques and refined for semianalytic methods. The accuracy of the navigation solution-derived orbits (and the ability of Draper R&D GTDS to model spacecraft motion) is determined for the Ocean Topography Experiment (TOPEX), Technology for Autonomous Operational Survivability (TAOS), and Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) through comparison to high quality, independently generated 'truth' solutions (Precise Orbit Ephemerides, or POEs).
| Limitations: |
 APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE |
| Description: |
Master's thesis |
| Pages: |
518 |
| Report Date: |
JUN 96 |
| Report Number: |
A304213 |
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