Automated orbit determination using tracking and data relay satellite (TDRS) data

A prototype for an onboard satellite orbit determination system has been developed at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) to aid in the research and development of onboard navigation. Two versions of the system, one for laboratory investigation and one for ground demonstration, are being used to gain insight into the feasibility and practicality of microprocessor-based automated orbit determination. This paper describes the mathematical modeling and the software structure of each system and presents the results of laboratory evaluation in terms of computational accuracy and real-time processing performance.