Date of Award
3-2005
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering
Department
Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
First Advisor
Richard G. Cobb, PhD
Abstract
This study investigated the minimum requirements to establish a satellite tracking system architecture for a microsatellite to rendezvous with a non-cooperative target satellite. A prototype optical tracking system was reviewed with emphasis on a proposed tactical employment that could be used by technologically unsophisticated state or non-state adversaries. With the tracking system architecture selected, simulated tracking data was processed with a Non-Linear Least Squares batch orbit estimation algorithm and a Bayes sequential orbit determination filter to update the target satellite's state vector.
AFIT Designator
AFIT-GSS-ENY-05-M02
DTIC Accession Number
ADA435238
Recommended Citation
Heslin, John P., "Orbit Estimation Algorithms for a Microsatellite Rendezvous with a Non-Cooperative Target" (2005). Theses and Dissertations. 3709.
https://scholar.afit.edu/etd/3709