Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “orbit correction”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 records

Investigation of the ionospheric Faraday rotation for use in orbit corrections

The possibility of mapping the Faraday factors on a worldwide basis was examined as a simple method of representing the conversion factors for any possible user. However, this does not seem feasible. The complex relationship between the true magnetic coordinates and the geographic latitude, longitude, and azimuth angles eliminates the possibility of setting up some simple tables that would yield worldwide results of sufficient accuracy. Tabular results for specific stations can easily be produced or could be represented in graphic form.

Llewellyn, S. K.↗

On correcting radial orbit errors for altimetric satellites using crossover analysis

A method is proposed for correcting radial orbit error in measurements of sea surface height using a satellite altimeter. Traditionally, the orbit error is modeled in terms of a Fourier series with the Fourier coefficients determined by minimizing the residual crossover difference in a least-squares sense. In this method an a priori constraint must be imposed to obtain a unique solution. It is shown that by using singular value decomposition, no such constraint is needed. This proposed method leaves the geographically dependent errors unchanged and makes only those corrections warranted by the information contained in crossover differences. Thus, the resultant ocean topography is free from any undue distortion which might be incurred by an a priori constraint. It is suggested that the method is useful for application to high-accuracy altimetric mission, because the orbit error can be reduced without compromising the accuracy of the measured mean ocean topography.

Fu, Lee-Lueng↗

Halo Orbit Mission Correction Maneuvers Using Optimal Control

This paper addresses the computation of the required trajectory correction maneuvers (TCM) for a halo orbit space mission to compensate for the launch velocity errors introduced by inaccuracies of the launch vehicle.

Halo Orbit trajectory error correction optimal con↗

Reliability model of a monopropellant auxiliary propulsion system

A mathematical model and associated computer code has been developed which computes the reliability of a monopropellant blowdown hydrazine spacecraft auxiliary propulsion system as a function of time. The propulsion system is used to adjust or modify the spacecraft orbit over an extended period of time. The multiple orbit corrections are the multiple objectives which the auxiliary propulsion system is designed to achieve. Thus the reliability model computes the probability of successfully accomplishing each of the desired orbit corrections. To accomplish this, the reliability model interfaces with a computer code that models the performance of a blowdown (unregulated) monopropellant auxiliary propulsion system. The computer code acts as a performance model and as such gives an accurate time history of the system operating parameters. The basic timing and status information is passed on to and utilized by the reliability model which establishes the probability of successfully accomplishing the orbit corrections.

Greenberg, J. S.↗

Spacecraft preliminary orbit determination using tracking measurements obtained from the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) and the Ground Spaceflight Tracking and Data Network (GSTDN)

In order to validate the operational and computational capabilities of the Preliminary Orbit Determination System (PODS), tests were performed using tracking measurements for several systems including the ERB satellite, the SMM, the STS and Landsat-4. POD procedures are utilized to generate a state vector following an unplanned orbital perturbation or spacecraft maneuver, when an estimation process such as a differential correction orbit determination cannot obtain a solution. Results are presented to demonstrate POD for several situations involving different qualities of a priori target state vectors, data type combinations, data arc lengths, and mixtures of single-TDRS, dual-TDRS, and GSTDN measurements. The system's ability to determine accurately the state vector for the spacecraft and the effectiveness of the solution screening process are discussed. It is shown that PODS is capable of determining a spacecraft vector when differential correction orbit determination processes fail.

Kirschner, S. M.↗

Robust Real-Time Wide-Area Differential GPS Navigation

The present invention provides a method and a device for providing superior differential GPS positioning data. The system includes a group of GPS receiving ground stations covering a wide area of the Earth's surface. Unlike other differential GPS systems wherein the known position of each ground station is used to geometrically compute an ephemeris for each GPS satellite. the present system utilizes real-time computation of satellite orbits based on GPS data received from fixed ground stations through a Kalman-type filter/smoother whose output adjusts a real-time orbital model. ne orbital model produces and outputs orbital corrections allowing satellite ephemerides to be known with considerable greater accuracy than from die GPS system broadcasts. The modeled orbits are propagated ahead in time and differenced with actual pseudorange data to compute clock offsets at rapid intervals to compensate for SA clock dither. The orbital and dock calculations are based on dual frequency GPS data which allow computation of estimated signal delay at each ionospheric point. These delay data are used in real-time to construct and update an ionospheric shell map of total electron content which is output as part of the orbital correction data. thereby allowing single frequency users to estimate ionospheric delay with an accuracy approaching that of dual frequency users.

Yunck, Thomas P.↗

Navigation of the 1982 Jupiter Orbiter Probe mission

A new NASA interplanetary flight project, called Jupiter Orbiter Probe (JOP), has been recently approved by Congress. JOP involves a dual mission intended to explore the planet Jupiter and its environment with an atmospheric probe and a planetary orbiter spacecraft. The probe and orbiter vehicles are to be launched in tandem as a single spacecraft during the time from December 1981 to January 1982. The spacecraft will arrive at Jupiter at the earliest on November 14, 1984. Navigating the JOP spacecraft will be a critical task for the JOP mission. Attention is given to aspects of probe and orbiter delivery, Jupiter orbit insertion and perijove raise, the Satellite Tour, navigation development and the navigation system, the probe delivery, example orbits, velocity perturbation and correction, orbit determination characteristics, orbit determination and control profile, and the correction velocity requirements.

Rourke, K. H.↗

Rubidium Ultra-Stable Oscillators at Titan: The Huygens Doppler Wind Experiment

The Doppler Wind Experiment (DWE) is one of six investigations to be performed during the Titan atmospheric descent of the ESA Huygens Probe. The primary scientific objective is to measure the direction and strength of Titan's zonal winds with an accuracy better than 1 m/s. The Probe's wind-induced horizontal motion will be derived from the residual Doppler shift of its S-band radio link to the Cassini Orbiter, corrected for all known orbit and propagation effects, from the beginning of the mission (altitude: approx. 160 km) down to impact on the surface. The DWE Instrumentation consists of Rb-based Ultra-Stable Oscillators used to: (1) generate the transmitted signal from the Probe and (2) extract the frequency of the received signal on the Orbiter. The capabilities of these USOs under the rugged experimental conditions on Titan and some results from the DWE pre-launch test program are described.

Bird, M. K.↗