A Novel Algorithm for Precise Orbit Determination Using a Single Satellite Laser Ranging System Within a Single Arc for Space Surveillance and Tracking

A satellite laser ranging (SLR) system uses lasers to measure the range from ground stations to space objects with millimeter-level precision. Recent advances in SLR systems have increased their use in space surveillance and tracking (SST). The problem we are addressing, the precise orbit determinat...

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Main Authors: Dong-Gu Kim, Sang-Young Park, Eunji Lee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Aerospace
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/11/12/989
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author Dong-Gu Kim
Sang-Young Park
Eunji Lee
author_facet Dong-Gu Kim
Sang-Young Park
Eunji Lee
author_sort Dong-Gu Kim
collection DOAJ
description A satellite laser ranging (SLR) system uses lasers to measure the range from ground stations to space objects with millimeter-level precision. Recent advances in SLR systems have increased their use in space surveillance and tracking (SST). The problem we are addressing, the precise orbit determination (POD) using one-dimensional range observations within a single arc, is challenging owing to infinite solutions because of limited observability. Therefore, general orbit determination algorithms struggle to achieve reasonable accuracy. The proposed algorithm redefines the cost value for orbit determination by leveraging residual tendencies in the POD process. The tendencies of residuals are quantified as R-squared values using Fourier series fitting to determine velocity vector information. The algorithm corrects velocity vector errors through the grid search method and least squares (LS) with a priori information. This approach corrects all six dimensions of the state vectors, comprising position and velocity vectors, utilizing only one dimension of the range observations. Simulations of three satellites using real data validate the algorithm. In all cases, the errors of the two-line element data (three-dimensional position error of 1 km and velocity error of 1 m/s, approximately) used as the initial values were reduced by tens of meters and the cm/s level, respectively. The algorithm outperformed the general POD algorithm using only the LS method, which does not effectively reduce errors. This study offers a more efficient and accurate orbit determination method, which improves the safety, cost efficiency, and effectiveness of space operations.
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spelling doaj-art-c65ee830849d43579e5b3222dfe3a19f2024-12-27T14:02:28ZengMDPI AGAerospace2226-43102024-11-01111298910.3390/aerospace11120989A Novel Algorithm for Precise Orbit Determination Using a Single Satellite Laser Ranging System Within a Single Arc for Space Surveillance and TrackingDong-Gu Kim0Sang-Young Park1Eunji Lee2Astrodynamics and Control Laboratory, Department of Astronomy, Yonsei University, Yonsei-ro 50, Seoul 03722, Republic of KoreaAstrodynamics and Control Laboratory, Department of Astronomy, Yonsei University, Yonsei-ro 50, Seoul 03722, Republic of KoreaHanwha Systems, Yongin-City 17121, Republic of KoreaA satellite laser ranging (SLR) system uses lasers to measure the range from ground stations to space objects with millimeter-level precision. Recent advances in SLR systems have increased their use in space surveillance and tracking (SST). The problem we are addressing, the precise orbit determination (POD) using one-dimensional range observations within a single arc, is challenging owing to infinite solutions because of limited observability. Therefore, general orbit determination algorithms struggle to achieve reasonable accuracy. The proposed algorithm redefines the cost value for orbit determination by leveraging residual tendencies in the POD process. The tendencies of residuals are quantified as R-squared values using Fourier series fitting to determine velocity vector information. The algorithm corrects velocity vector errors through the grid search method and least squares (LS) with a priori information. This approach corrects all six dimensions of the state vectors, comprising position and velocity vectors, utilizing only one dimension of the range observations. Simulations of three satellites using real data validate the algorithm. In all cases, the errors of the two-line element data (three-dimensional position error of 1 km and velocity error of 1 m/s, approximately) used as the initial values were reduced by tens of meters and the cm/s level, respectively. The algorithm outperformed the general POD algorithm using only the LS method, which does not effectively reduce errors. This study offers a more efficient and accurate orbit determination method, which improves the safety, cost efficiency, and effectiveness of space operations.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/11/12/989space surveillance and trackingsatellite laser rangingprecise orbit determinationsingle stationsingle arc
spellingShingle Dong-Gu Kim
Sang-Young Park
Eunji Lee
A Novel Algorithm for Precise Orbit Determination Using a Single Satellite Laser Ranging System Within a Single Arc for Space Surveillance and Tracking
Aerospace
space surveillance and tracking
satellite laser ranging
precise orbit determination
single station
single arc
title A Novel Algorithm for Precise Orbit Determination Using a Single Satellite Laser Ranging System Within a Single Arc for Space Surveillance and Tracking
title_full A Novel Algorithm for Precise Orbit Determination Using a Single Satellite Laser Ranging System Within a Single Arc for Space Surveillance and Tracking
title_fullStr A Novel Algorithm for Precise Orbit Determination Using a Single Satellite Laser Ranging System Within a Single Arc for Space Surveillance and Tracking
title_full_unstemmed A Novel Algorithm for Precise Orbit Determination Using a Single Satellite Laser Ranging System Within a Single Arc for Space Surveillance and Tracking
title_short A Novel Algorithm for Precise Orbit Determination Using a Single Satellite Laser Ranging System Within a Single Arc for Space Surveillance and Tracking
title_sort novel algorithm for precise orbit determination using a single satellite laser ranging system within a single arc for space surveillance and tracking
topic space surveillance and tracking
satellite laser ranging
precise orbit determination
single station
single arc
url https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/11/12/989
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