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A demonstration of TDRS orbit determination using differential tracking observables from GPS ground receiversA Global Positioning System (GPS) flight receiver provides a means of precisely determining orbits for satellites in low to moderate altitude orbits. Above 5000 km altitude, however, relatively few GPS satellites are visible. We present a new approach to orbit determination for satellites at higher altitudes. Modification of GPS ground receivers enables a beacon from the orbiter to be tracked simultaneously with GPS data. The orbit accuracy expected from this GPS-like tracking (GLT) technique in principle could be comparable to accuracies of GPS orbits. Present-day GPS orbit quality from a daily semi-automated analysis system at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory is at the 30 - 50 cm level: expected accuracies for orbiters with GLT are calculated to be in the few-meter range for altitudes up to 100000 km. For geosynchronous satellites, however, there are unique challenges due to geometrical limitations and to the lack of strong dynamical signature in tracking data. We examine two approaches for tracking Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) geostationary orbiters. One uses GLT with a global network; the other relies on a small `connected element' ground network with a distributed clock for short baseline differential carrier phase (SB Delta Phi). In priciple, both could meet 50-m TDRS operational requirements. However there are practical difficulties with either pure GLT or SB Delta Phi tracking schemes for present-day TDRS satellites. We describe an experiment planned for late 1993 which will combine aspects of both GLT and SB Delta Phi to demonstrate a new approach for tracking TDRS which offers a number of operationally convenient and attractive features. The TDRS demo will in effect ba a proof of concept experiment for both the GLT and SB Delta Phi approaches to tracking spacecraft.
Document ID
19950049803
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Lichten, Stephen M.
(Jet Propulsion Lab. California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena, CA, US, United States)
Edwards, Charles D.
(Jet Propulsion Lab. California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena, CA, US, United States)
Young, Lawrence E.
(Jet Propulsion Lab. California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena, CA, US, United States)
Nandi, Sumita
(Jet Propulsion Lab. California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena, CA, US, United States)
Dunn, Charles
(Jet Propulsion Lab. California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena, CA, US, United States)
Haines, Bruce J.
(Jet Propulsion Lab. California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena, CA, US, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: In: Spaceflight mechanics, 1993; AAS(AIAA Spaceflight Mechanics Meeting, 3rd, Pasadena, CA, Feb. 22-24, 1993, Parts 1 & 2 . A95-81344
Publisher: American Astronautical Society (Advances in the Astronautical Sciences, Vol. 82, Pts. 1 & 2)
ISSN: 0065-3438
Subject Category
Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command And Tracking
Accession Number
95A81402
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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