Abstract
Earth-based spacecraft tracking data have historically been processed with classical least squares filtering techniques both for navigation purposes and for physical constant determination. The small, stochastic non-gravitational forces acting on the spacecraft are described to motivate the use of sequential estimation as an alternative to the least squares fitting procedures. The stochastic forces are investigated both in terms of their effect on the tracking data and their influence on estimation accuracy. A flexiible sequential filter design which leaves the existing trajectory, variational equations, data observable and partial computations undisturbed is described. A detailed filter design is presented that meets the precision demands and flexibility requirements of deep space navigation and scientific problems, one which provides a high degree of numerical integrity and numerical analysis capability, facilitates the efficient computation of multiple solutions, and makes few demands on the supporting computational structure.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anderson, J. D., Esposito, P. B.,et al.: 1971, ‘Measurement of General Relativistic Time Delay with Mariner 6 and 7’, Paper 9.14, XIV Plenary Meeting of Cospar.
Curkendall, D. W.,et al.: 1971, Proceedings of the Conference on Experimental Tests of Gravitation Theories, JPLTM 33-499, 148–158.
Duxbury, T. C., Born, G. H., and Jerath, N.: 1972, ‘Viewing Phobos and Deimos for Navigating Mariner 9’, AIAA Preprint No. 72-927.
Dyer, P. and McReynolds, S. R.: 1969,J. Optimization Theory Appl. 3, 92–105.
Esposito, P. B., Thornton, C. L.,et al.: 1971, AAS Pre-print No. 71-384, 1971, Astrodynamics Specialist Conference, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Gauss, K. F.: 1809,Theory of the Motion of Heavenly Bodies Moving About the Sun in Conic Sections, English translation, Dover Publications Incorporated, New York 1963.
Hanson, R. J. and Lawson, C. L.: 1969,Math. Comput. 23, 787–812.
Hanson, R. J. and Dyer, P.: 1971,Comp. J. 14, 285–290.
Hanson, R. J. and Lawson, C. L.: 1972,Solving Least Squares Problems, Chapter 4, to be published by, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.
Jordan, J. F.: 1969,J. Spacecraft Rockets 6, 545–550.
Jordan, J. F., Melbourne, W. G., and Anderson, J. D.: 1972, Paper No. 9.13, presented at XV Plenary Meeting of Cospar.
Kalman, R. E. and Bucy, R. S.: 1961,Basic Eng. Transcations ASME 83, 95–108.
Kaminski, P. G., Bryson, A. E., and Schmidt, S. F.: 1971,IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, Vol. AC-16, 727–735.
Lorell, J.: 1970,The Moon 1, 190–231.
Lorell, J., Shapiro, I. I., et al.: 1972,Science 175, 317–320.
Melbourne, W. G.: 1970,Dynamics of Satellites, in B. Morando (ed.) COSPAR-IAU-IAG/IUGG-IUTAM Symposium, Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Melbourne, W. G.: 1970,Astronaut. Aeronaut. 8, 26–70.
Moyer, T., 1971, JPLTR 32-1527.
Smylie, R. E. and Mansinha, L.: 1971,Scientific Amer. 225, 80–88.
Wintner, A.: 1941,The Analytical Foundations of Celestial Mechanics, Princeton University Press, Chapters I and II.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Curkendall, D.W., Leondes, C.T. Sequential filter design for precision orbit determination and physical constant refinement. Celestial Mechanics 8, 481–494 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01227800
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01227800