Date of Award
3-2003
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
First Advisor
Steven G. Tragesser, PhD
Abstract
This study investigated the minimum requirements to establish a satellite tracking system architecture for a hostile "parasitic microsatellite" to rendezvous with a larger, non-cooperative target satellite. Four types of tracking systems and their capabilities were reviewed with emphasis on "low-technology" level and/or mobile systems which 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 orbit determination filter to determine and/or update the target satellite's state vector.
AFIT Designator
AFIT-GAI-ENY-03-2
DTIC Accession Number
ADA412751
Recommended Citation
Foster, Brian L., "Orbit Determination for a Microsatellite Rendezvous with a Non-Cooperative Target" (2003). Theses and Dissertations. 4158.
https://scholar.afit.edu/etd/4158