Compression of a Radar Track of a Near Earth Satellite into an Earth Centered Inertial State Vector Using Least Squares Differential Correction

Author

Garry L. Hall

Date of Award

3-1994

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering

Department

Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Abstract

This study investigated the use of a least squares differential corrector to compress the information contained in a single radar track of a Near Earth satellite into a six element, Earth Centered Inertial state vector and associated covariance matrix. Observations were generated using a truth model program based on two body, J2 geopotential, and atmospheric drag dynamics and consisted of simulated range, azimuth and elevation. Random Gaussian noise was added to the data to simulate real world random errors. The orbital dynamics used in the estimator consisted of two body and J2 geopotential effects which were approximated using a Taylor Series expansion in time. Analysis was conducted using two circular, inclined low earth orbits. Estimator performance was evaluated as a function of maximum pass elevation, track duration, data rate and the order of approximation of the equations of state. The estimator successfully extracted all of the pertinent information from the data with accuracy being dependent on the number of data points available. A correlation between the required order of approximation and maximum expected track length was also noted.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GA-ENY-94M-1

DTIC Accession Number

ADA278498

Comments

The author's Vita page is omitted.

Recommended Citation

Hall, Garry L., "Compression of a Radar Track of a Near Earth Satellite into an Earth Centered Inertial State Vector Using Least Squares Differential Correction" (1994). Theses and Dissertations. 6600.
https://scholar.afit.edu/etd/6600