Orbit determination using distance measurements

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Al-Azhar University – Cairo – EGYPT.

Abstract

Abstract:
The paper provides methods for precise geostationary satellites orbit determinations
using only distance (ranging) measurements. The results for orbit determination using
both dual Ranging from two separate earth station locations and classical orbit
determination from an earth station are introduced.
A Matlab program is developed to perform orbit determination process. The developed
program takes into account the dynamic model of the satellite orbit including orbit
perturbations due to non_ spherical earth shape, the gravitational forces of the sun and
moon, and the atmospheric drag. Acceptable results where foreseen in comparison to
the flight proven software tool.
The limitations of ranging measurements will be demonstrated, and the ways to
minimize it will be shown.
Also, spread spectrum orbit determination is provided, and an analysis on the selection
of suitable pseudo-random code generator for implementation in spread spectrum orbit
determination technique is given using Matlab simulink program.

Keywords