Orbit Determination Techniques for GPS Tracking of Low Altitude Satellites

George Davis, John Ries, Hyung Rim, Bob Schutz, and Byron Tapley

Abstract:	An experimental GPS receiver was flown on the TOPEX/POSEIDON (T/P) oceanographic satellite to test and develop orbit determination techniques and tracking system technologies for use in future satellite missions. Orbits determined from the GPS dual-frequency carrier phase observable have demonstrated the potential for radial orbit accuracy equal to or better than the established systems of satellite laser ranging and doppler tracking. Two approaches have been used to process GPS phase observations, the classical dynamic batch filtering technique, and a new approach to orbit determination for geodetic satellites, the “reduced-dynamic” sequential filtering technique. The success of both the T/P mission and the GPS demonstration experiment has now focused attention on the use of GPS tracking for geodetic missions being considered over the next decade. Low altitude missions are particularly in need of precise and robust tracking, such as that provided by GPS, because of increased perturbations due to gravity and atmospheric drag. This paper addresses the challenge of achieving centimeter-level radial orbit accuracy for low altitude satellites using GPS tracking. Insight into the two filtering techniques is obtained through comparisons of orbits obtained from T/P tracking. The knowledge gained from the T/P experience is then applied to simulated GPS tracking data for an 800 km altitude satellite carrying an advanced GPS flight receiver.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 7th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1994) September 20 - 23, 1994 Salt Palace Convention Center Salt Lake City, UT
Pages:	1221 - 1231
Cite this article:	Davis, George, Ries, John, Rim, Hyung, Schutz, Bob, Tapley, Byron, "Orbit Determination Techniques for GPS Tracking of Low Altitude Satellites," Proceedings of the 7th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1994), Salt Lake City, UT, September 1994, pp. 1221-1231.
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