REAL-TIME GEO ORBIT DETERMINATION USING TOPSTAR 3000 GPS RECEIVER

Christian Mehlen and Denis Laurichesse

Peer Reviewed

Abstract:	Real-time spacecraft navigation based on spaceborne GPS receivers is becoming a common technique for low-earth orbits (LEO), but has not yet been demonstrated for geostationary orbits (GEO). The TOPSTAR 3000 spaceborne GPS receiver was designed for a wide range of missions, including high-altitude orbits. A flight model of this receiver has been obtained by the STENTOR GEO program, the purpose of which is to experiment with new techniques for the next generation of GEO telecommunications spacecraft. One of these experiments involves autonomous orbit control, for which the on-board GPS receiver acts as the main means for localization and time transfer.This paper describes the particular features of the GPS receiver in GEO, and introduces additional features required for autonomous orbit control. Results of tests performed with the TOPSTAR 3000 receiver in a GEO configuration are presented, including behavior during GEO station-keeping maneuvers using electric propulsion.
Published in:	NAVIGATION: Journal of the Institute of Navigation, Volume 48, Number 3
Pages:	169 - 180
Cite this article:	Mehlen, Christian, Laurichesse, Denis, "REAL-TIME GEO ORBIT DETERMINATION USING TOPSTAR 3000 GPS RECEIVER", NAVIGATION: Journal of The Institute of Navigation, Vol. 48, No. 3, Fall 2001, pp. 169-180.
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