Error Analysis of Orbit Determination for the Geostationary Satellite with Single Station Antenna Tracking Data

In the study, position and velocity values of a geostationary satellite are found. When performing this, a MATLAB algorithm is used for Runge-Kutta Fehlberg orbit integration method to solve spacecraft’s position and velocity. Integrated method is the solution for the systems which mainly work with a single station. Method provides calculation of azimuth, elevation and range data by using the position simulation results found by RKF. Errors of orbit determination are analysed. Variances of orbit parameters are chosen as the accuracy criteria. Analysis results are the indicator of the method’s

Recent Progress of Fengyun Meteorology Satellites

After nearly 50 years of development, Fengyun(FY) satellite ushered in its best moment. China has become one of the three countries or units in the world(China, USA, and EU) that maintain both polar orbit and geostationary orbit satellites operationally. Up to now, there are 17 Fengyun(FY) satellites that have been launched successfully since 1988. There are two FY polar orbital satellites and four FY geostationary orbit satellites operate in the space to provide a huge amount of the earth observation data to the user communities. The FY satellite data has been applied not only in the meteorological but also in agriculture,hydraulic engineering, environmental, education, scientific research and other fields. More recently, three meteorological satellites have been launched within the past two years. They are FY-4 A on 11 December2016, FY-3 D on 15 November 2017 and FY-2 H on 5 June 2018. This paper introduces the current status of FY meteorological satellites and data service. The updates of the latest three satellites have been addressed.The characteristics of their payloads on-boarding have been specified in details and the benefit fields have been anticipated separately.

Fengyun Satellites:Achievements and Future

Chinese meteorological satellite,Fengyun(FY) Satellite,has a polar-orbiting series and a geostationary series.Up to now,5 polar-orbiting(FY-1A/B/C/D and FY-3A) and 5 geostationary(FY-2A/B/C/D/E) satellites were launched.FY data has been being intensively applied not only to meteorological monitoring and prediction but also to many other fields regarding ecology,environment,disaster,space weather and so and.The FY data sharing system,FengyunCast,is now one of the three components of global meteorological satellite information dissemination system,GEONETCast.The first satellite of the new generation polar-orbiting series,FY-3A,was launched on 27 May,2008,demonstrating the FY polar-orbiting satellite and its application completed a great leap to realize threedimensional observations and quantitative application.The first of the next generation geostationary series(FY-4) is planned to launch in 2014.

Primary Analysis of Development Approach to Chinese Satellite Mobile Communication

The paper describes the development of mobile communication first and then points out that it is necessary for China to develop satellite mobile communication after comparing the cellular mobile communication with the satellite mobile communication. After comparing the geostationary satellite system with the low earth orbit satellite mobile communication system, as well as the single-beam system with the multibeams system, both used in satellite mobile communication, we suggest that China, according to its economic status and level of satellite technology, should develop a geostationary multibeam satellite for its domestic mobile communication.

Observations from Fengyun Satellites

Fengyun(FY) Satellite has a polar-orbiting series and a geostationary series.Up to now,7 polar-orbiting(FY-1A/B/C/D and FY-3A/B/C) and 7 geostationary(FY-2A/B/C/D/E/F/G)satellites were launched.FY data has been being intensively applied not only to meteorological monitoring and prediction but also to many other fields regarding ecology,environment,disaster and so on.

北斗系统GEO卫星伪距多路径误差改正

北斗系统地球静止轨道(GEO)卫星因相对于地面近似静止,其多路径误差相对于其他类型较为严重,且表现出系统波动现象。为提升定位精度,本文在GEO卫星伪距多路径误差特征研究的基础上,采用奇异谱分析方法对其进行修正,并通过伪距单点定位(SPP)验证伪距多路径误差修正效果。选取测站CUT0连续10d的静态观测数据进行修正试验。研究发现,GEO卫星伪距多路径误差序列表现出较强的天重复性,且多路径误差中的系统误差项越大,重复性也越强;在运用奇异谱分析方法修正GEO卫星伪距多路径误差各系统误差项后,多路径组合(MP)观测值和SPP的定位精度均有一定程度提升。

基于CEI测量的GEO目标快速轨道恢复

连线干涉测量(Connected Element Interferometry,CEI)是一种全天时全天候的被动测角技术,已用于空间目标的跟踪监视.地球静止轨道(Geostationary Earth Orbit,GEO)卫星需要频繁机动以保持轨位或完成其他任务,其机动后的快速轨道恢复能力对于监视预警极为重要.针对基于CEI的GEO短弧定轨和预报,分析了定轨算法的形亏和数亏,在附加先验轨道约束的短弧定轨基础上,提出了轨道半长轴初值的自适应优化方法.利用亚太七号卫星的CEI仿真和实测数据进行了短弧定轨和预报,实验结果表明,采用优化后的半长轴初值,30min短弧定轨和10min预报的卫星位置分量精度均优于4km,能够满足非合作GEO目标机动后快速轨道恢复的需求.

Orbit determination for geostationary satellites with the combination of transfer ranging and pseudorange data

Geostationary satellites(GEOs) play a significant role in the regional satellite navigation system.Simulation experiments show that the clock corrections could be mitigated through a single strategy or double differencing strategies for a navigation constellation,but for the mode of individual GEO orbit determination,high precision orbit and clock correction could not be obtained in the orbit determination based on the pseudorange data.A new GEO combined precise orbit determination(POD) strategy is studied in this paper,which combines pseudorange data and C-band transfer ranging data.This strategy overcomes the deficiency of C-band transfer ranging caused by limited stations and tracking time available.With the combination of transfer ranging and pseudorange data,clock corrections between the GEO and the stations can be estimated simultaneously along with orbital parameters,maintaining self-consistency between the satellite ephemeris and clock correction parameters.The error covariance analysis is conducted to illuminate the contributions from the transfer ranging data and the psudoranging data.Using data collected for a Chinese GEO satellite with 3 C-band transfer ranging stations and 4 L-band pseudorange tracking stations,POD experiments indicate that a meter-level accuracy is achievable.The root-mean-square(RMS) of the post-fit C-band ranging data is about 0.203 m,and the RMS of the post-fit pseudorange is 0.408 m.Radial component errors of the POD experiments are independently evaluated with the satellite laser ranging(SLR) data from a station in Beijing,with the residual RMS of 0.076 m.The SLR evaluation also suggests that for 2-h orbital predication,the predicted radial error is about 0.404 m,and the clock correction error is about 1.38 ns.Even for the combination of one C-band transfer ranging station and 4 pseudorange stations,POD is able to achieve a reasonable accuracy with the radial error of 0.280 m and the 2-h predicted radial error of 0.888 m.Clock synchronization between the GEO and tracking stations is achieved with an estimated accuracy of about 1.55 ns,meeting the navigation service requirements.

Methods of rapid orbit forecasting after maneuvers for geostationary satellites

A geostationary(GEO) satellite may serve as a navigation satellite,but there is a problem that maneuvers frequently occur and the forces are difficult to model.Based on the technique of determining satellite orbits by transfer,a predicted orbit with high accuracy may be achieved by the method of statis-tical orbit determination in case of no maneuver force.The predicted orbit will soon be invalid after the maneuver starts,and it takes a long time to get a valid orbit after the maneuver ends.In order to improve ephemeris usability,the method of rapid orbit forecasting after maneuvers is studied.First,GEO satellite movement is analyzed in case of maneuvers based on the observation from the orbit meas-urement system by transfer.Then when a GEO satellite is in the free status just after maneuvers,the short arc observation is used to forecast the orbit.It is assumed that the common system bias and biases of each station are constant,which can be obtained from orbit determination with long arc observations.In this way,only 6 orbit elements would be solved by the method of statistical orbit determination,and the ephemeris with high accuracy may be soon obtained.Actual orbit forecasting with short arc observation for SINOSAT-1 satellite shows that,with the tracking network available,the precision of the predicted orbit(RMS of O-C) can reach about 5 m with 15 min arc observation,and about 3 m with 30 min arc observation.

Improvement of orbit determination for geostationary satellites with VLBI tracking

China’s COMPASS satellite navigation system consists of five or more geostationary (GEO) satellites.The roles of GEO satellites are to improve the regional user’s positioning accuracy and provide the continuous Radio Determination Satellite Service.The motion of GEO satellites relative to a ground tracking station is almost fixed,and regular orbit maneuvers are necessary to maintain the satellites’ allocated positions above the equator.These features present difficulties in precise orbit determination (POD).C-band ranging via onboard transponders and the L-band pseudo-ranging technique have been used in the COMPASS system.This paper introduces VLBI tracking,which has been successfully employed in the Chinese lunar exploration programs Chang’E-1 and Chang’E-2,to the POD of GEO satellites.In contrast to ranging,which measures distances between a GEO satellite and an observer,VLBI is an angular measurement technique that constrains the satellite’s position errors perpendicular to the satellite-to-observer direction.As a demonstration,the Chinese VLBI Network organized a tracking and orbit-determination experiment for a GEO navigation satellite lasting 24 h.This paper uses the VLBI delay and delay-rate data,in combination with C-band ranging data,to determine the GEO satellite’s orbit.The accuracies of the VLBI delay and delay rate data are about 3.6 ns and 0.4 ps/s,respectively.Data analysis shows that the VLBI data are able to calibrate systematic errors of the C-band ranging data,and the combination of the two observations improves orbit prediction accuracy with short-arc data,which is important for orbital recovery after maneuvers of GEO satellites.With the implementation of VLBI2010,it is possible for VLBI to be applied in the COMPASS satellite navigation system.

An investigation on tether-tugging de-orbit of defunct geostationary satellites

In recent years,defunct satellites mitigation in the geostationary orbit(GEO) has become a hot issue in the space field.How to transfer defunct geostationary satellites to the graveyard orbit safely,economically and efficiently presents new challenges to spacecraft dynamics and control.This paper conducts an in-depth investigation on tether-tugging de-orbit issues of defunct geostationary satellites.Firstly,a four-phase tether-tugging de-orbit scheme including acceleration,equilibrium,rotation and return is proposed.This scheme takes into consideration how to avoid the risks of tether ripping,tug-target collision,and tether twist,and how to achieve the mission objective of fuel saving.Secondly,the dynamics model of the tether combination system is established based on Lagrange equation,and the four phases of tether-tugging de-orbit scheme are simulated respectively.Simulation results indicate that the scheme is theoretically feasible and satisfies the design objectives of safety,economy and efficiency,providing a technical approach for engineering application.

GEO混合推力机动目标跟踪IMM算法

针对交互多模型(IMM)算法求解地球静止轨道(GEO)卫星混合推力机动目标跟踪问题时模型匹配难、模型转移概率近似平均和响应速度慢的问题,从交互模型集构建和模型转移概率自适应设计两个方面出发提出一种改进IMM算法。该方法通过考虑无机动、脉冲机动和有限推力机动三种模式,构建了覆盖目标机动状态的交互模型集,提高了模型与机动目标实际运行状态的匹配度;采用一种基于加速度估计自适应修正的模型交互概率修正方法,提升了算法对目标机动状态的响应速度和跟踪精度。仿真结果表明,所提算法是解决混合推力模式下的GEO机动目标跟踪问题的有效手段,在收敛速度和收敛精度等方面与传统方法相比有较大提高。

地基北斗GEO卫星直反信号功率测量偏差分析

针对接收天线方向性造成的北斗地球同步轨道(GEO)卫星直反信号功率测量偏差进行研究。给出地基场景下实际天线接收的直反信号及其功率表达式,讨论天线方向性造成的北斗GEO卫星直反信号功率测量相对偏差,设置具体观测场景进行仿真分析。理论与仿真结果表明:具体场景和时刻下的北斗GEO卫星直反信号功率测量偏差为固定偏差,由天线对干扰信号的抑制性能、天线架设高度和反射面介电常数共同决定;相对偏差的大小随着天线对干扰信号抑制性能的增强而减小,随着天线架设高度的变化在某一范围内波动,也会随着反射面介电常数的变化而变化。

Perturbed low-thrust geostationary orbit transfer guidance via polynomial costate estimation

This paper proposes an optimal,robust,and efficient guidance scheme for the perturbed minimum-time low-thrust transfer toward the geostationary orbit.The Earth’s oblateness perturbation and shadow are taken into account.It is difficult for a Lyapunov-based or trajectory-tracking guidance method to possess multiple characteristics at the same time,including high guidance optimality,robustness,and onboard computational efficiency.In this work,a concise relationship between the minimum-time transfer problem with orbital averaging and its optimal solution is identified,which reveals that the five averaged initial costates that dominate the optimal thrust direction can be approximately determined by only four initial modified equinoctial orbit elements after a coordinate transformation.Based on this relationship,the optimal averaged trajectories constituting the training dataset are randomly generated around a nominal averaged trajectory.Five polynomial regression models are trained on the training dataset and are regarded as the costate estimators.In the transfer,the spacecraft can obtain the real-time approximate optimal thrust direction by combining the costate estimations provided by the estimators with the current state at any time.Moreover,all these computations onboard are analytical.The simulation results show that the proposed guidance scheme possesses extremely high guidance optimality,robustness,and onboard computational efficiency.

Precise orbit determination of a maneuvered GEO satellite using CAPS ranging data

Wheel-off-loadings and orbital maneuvers of the GEO satellite result in additional accelerations to the satellite itself. Complex and difficult to model, these time varying accelerations are an important error source of precise orbit determination (POD). In most POD practices, only non-maneuver orbital arcs are treated. However, for some applications such as satellite navigation RDSS services, uninterrupted orbital ephemeris is demanded, requiring the development of POD strategies to be processed both during and after an orbital maneuver. We in this paper study the POD for a maneuvered GEO satellite, using high precision and high sampling rate ranging data obtained with Chinese Area Positioning System (CAPS). The strategy of long arc POD including maneuver arcs is studied by using telemetry data to model the maneuver thrust process. Combining the thrust and other orbital perturbations, a long arc of 6 days’ CAPS ranging data is analyzed. If the telemetry data are not available or contain significant errors, attempts are made to estimate thrusting parameters using CAPS ranging data in the POD as an alternative to properly account for the maneuver. Two strategies achieve reasonably good data fitting level in the tested arc with the maximal position difference being about 20 m.

A preliminary study on dead geostationary satellite removal

The collision between satellites IRIDIUM 33 and COSMOS 2251 indicated that the clash of two on-orbit satellites was becoming an inevitable reality. Our calculation with the two-line orbit element by NORAD showed that some two geostationary satellites had approached very close in July 2009. Therefore, more attention should be given to avoid such collisions. This paper analyzes the orbital long-term variation of a dead satellite drifting in the geostationary orbit. Also, the negative effects posed by dead satellites upon the on-orbit operational geostationary satellites are studied. Then the paper proposes a novel idea to launch a satellite sweeper whose purpose is to collect the on-orbit dead satellites and help them de-orbit to a "graveyard". The satellite sweeper consists of a parent satellite and a child satellite. The child satellite collects a dead satellite and transfers it to a higher orbit. The parent satellite stationed in the geostationary orbit is in charge of refueling the child satellite. The strategy of maneuver and rendezvous is presented and a series of formulas are derived. The analysis results show that our method to clean the geostationary orbital zone is practical and fuel-saving. With the help of just a few satellite sweepers, we can gain a clean environment of geostationary orbit environment again.

Mathematical prototypes for collocating geostationary satellites

Collocating geostationary satellites sharing the same position is much demanded for satellite operation recently,the separation strategies are adopted to safeguard the satellites collocated of leaving the relative distance beyond collision with different sets of orbit parameters.This paper presents the mathematical prototypes which establish the allowable relative distance with uncertainty of orbital determination(OD),as well as the orbital element offset for each pair of collocated satellites,and puts forward algorithms to build such relationship to face the challenge of putting three satellites sharing the same position,the algorithms to allocate the longitude,eccentricity and inclination for each satellite are also given to ascertain that the mathematical prototypes are the guide specification to design collocation strategy for geostationary satellites.

Safe rendezvous scenario design for geostationary satellites with collocation constraints

Rendezvous on the geostationary orbit(GEO)is much more complex than that on the low earth orbit and has a higher critical requirement for safety performance.This paper presents a safe scenario design method for GEO rendezvous proximity missions where the safety constraint of a collocated satellite is considered.A recently proposed quantitative index considering trajectory uncertainty is introduced to analyze the safety performance of the scenario parameters including the V-bar keeping positions and the fly-by trajectory radius.Furthermore,an exhaustive analysis is performed to find the dangerous regions of the V-bar keeping positions and the appropriate semi-major axis of the fly-by ellipse,considering the safety requirements of both the target and the collocated satellite.A geometry method is then developed for designing a feasible and suboptimal safe rendezvous scenario.The method is tested by designing four rendezvous scenarios with±V-bar approach directions respectively in the situations with and without one collocated satellite.Safety performance and velocity increments of the scenarios are compared and a conclusion is reached that the collocated satellite has a significant influence on the scenario design.

Orbit determination and prediction for Beidou GEO satellites at the time of the spring/autumn equinox

Geostationary(GEO) satellites form an indispensable component of the constellation of Beidou navigation system(BDS). The ephemerides, or predicted orbits of these GEO satellites(GEOs), are broadcast to positioning, navigation, and timing users. User equivalent ranging error(UERE) based on broadcast message is better than 1.5 m(root formal errors: RMS) for GEO satellites. However, monitoring of UERE indicates that the orbital prediction precision is significantly degraded when the Sun is close to the Earth's equatorial plane(or near spring or autumn Equinox). Error source analysis shows that the complicated solar radiation pressure on satellite buses and the simple box-wing model maybe the major contributor to the deterioration of orbital precision. With the aid of BDS' two-way frequency and time transfer between the GEOs and Beidou time(BDT, that is maintained at the master control station), we propose a new orbit determination strategy, namely three-step approach of the multi-satellite precise orbit determination(MPOD). Pseudo-range(carrier phase) data are transformed to geometric range(biased geometric range) data without clock offsets; and reasonable empirical acceleration parameters are estimated along with orbital elements to account for the error in solar radiation pressure modeling. Experiments with Beidou data show that using the proposed approach, the GEOs' UERE when near the autumn Equinox of 2012 can be improved to 1.3 m from 2.5 m(RMS), and the probability of user equivalent range error(UERE)<2.0 m can be improved from 50% to above 85%.

Orbit determination and thrust force modeling for a maneuvered GEO satellite using two-way adaptive Kalman filtering

A two-way adaptive Kalman filter is proposed by combining a two-way filter with an adaptive filter for orbit determination of a maneuvered GEO satellite.A method of using Newton's high-resolution differential formula and polynomial fitting for modeling the thrust force of a maneuvered GEO satellite is developed.The adaptive factor,which balances the contributions of the measurements and the dynamic model information,is determined by using a two-segment function and predicted residual statistics.Simulations with a maneuvered GEO satellite tracked by the Chinese ground tracking network were conducted to verify the performance of the proposed orbit determination technique and the method of thrust force modeling.The results show that refining the thrust force model is beneficial for the orbit determination of a maneuvered GEO satellite;the two-way adaptive Kalman filter can efficiently control the influence of the dynamic model errors on the orbit state estimate.