Demonstrating developments in high-fidelity analytical radiation force modelling methods for spacecraft with a new model for GPS IIR/IIR-M

Bhattarai, S., Ziebart, M., Allgeier, S., Grey, S. , Springer, T., Harrison, D. and Li, Z. (2019) Demonstrating developments in high-fidelity analytical radiation force modelling methods for spacecraft with a new model for GPS IIR/IIR-M. Journal of Geodesy, 93(9), pp. 1515-1528. (doi: 10.1007/s00190-019-01265-7)

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Abstract

This paper presents recently developed strategies for high-fidelity, analytical radiation force modelling for spacecraft. The performance of these modelling strategies is assessed using a new model for the Global Positioning System Block IIR and IIR-M spacecraft. The statistics of various orbit model parameters in a full orbit estimation process that uses tracking data from 100 stations are examined. Over the full year of 2016, considering all Block IIR and IIR-M satellites on orbit, introducing University College London’s grid-based model into the orbit determination process reduces mean 3-d orbit overlap values by 9% and the noise about the mean orbit overlap value by 4%, when comparing against orbits estimated using a simpler box-wing model of the spacecraft. Comparing with orbits produced using the extended Empirical CODE Orbit Model, we see decreases of 4% and 3% in the mean and the noise about the mean of the 3-d orbit overlap statistics, respectively. In orbit predictions over 14-day intervals, over the first day, we see smaller root-mean-square errors in the along-track and cross-track directions, but slightly larger errors in the radial direction. Over the 14th day, we see smaller errors in the radial and cross-track directions, but slightly larger errors in the along-track direction.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This work is supported financially by the UK Natural Environment Research Council (NE/K010816/1; Grant No. 157630).
Keywords:Solar radiation pressure, analytical force models, GPS, orbit determination, orbit prediction.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Grey, Dr Stuart
Authors: Bhattarai, S., Ziebart, M., Allgeier, S., Grey, S., Springer, T., Harrison, D., and Li, Z.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
Journal Name:Journal of Geodesy
Publisher:Springer
ISSN:0949-7714
ISSN (Online):1432-1394
Published Online:10 June 2019
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2019 The Authors
First Published:First published in Journal of Geodesy 93(9): 1515-1528
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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