AAS 97-631
PRECISION ORBIT DETERMINATION USING ATMOSPHERIC DENSITY CALIBRATION
F.A. Marcos - PL/GPI, J.N. Bass - Radex, Inc., D.Larson - SAIC, and J.J. Liu - AFSWC
Abstract
Atmospheric drag is the largest uncertainty in determining orbits of low altitude satellites. Deficiencies in operational satellite drag models persist due to empirical model limitations including inadequacies of proxy indices used as model drivers. Satellite drag errors result in degraded accuracy, requirements for frequent updates and inadequate predictions. Assimilation of satellite tracking data to generate time-dependent global corrections to operational drag models is shown to circumvent the limitations of current drag models. Operational application of this technique promises to provide significant improvements in low earth, precision orbit determination and prediction.