Date of Award
6-2006
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
First Advisor
William E. Wiesel, PhD
Abstract
As an increasing number of geostationary satellites fill a limited number of orbital slots, collocation of satellites leads to a risk of close approach or misidentification. The ability to detect maneuvers made by these satellites using optical observations can help to prevent these problems. Such a model has already been created and tested using data from the Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing site. The goal of this research was to create a more robust model which would reduce the amount of data needed to make accurate maneuver estimations. The Clohessy-Wiltshire equations were used to model the relative motion of a geostationary satellite about its intended location, and a nonlinear least squares algorithm was developed to estimate the satellite trajectories.
AFIT Designator
AFIT-GA-ENY-06-J01
DTIC Accession Number
ADA453944
Recommended Citation
Hirsch, Brian J., "Maneuver Estimation Model for Geostationary Orbit Determination" (2006). Theses and Dissertations. 3516.
https://scholar.afit.edu/etd/3516