On the information contained in the motion of one satellite of a two-satellite tethered system

摘要

This paper addresses the problem of characterizing the information available in observations of one of the satellites of a two-satellite tethered system. ^Generally, both satellites in a two-satellite tethered system are observed because it is known a priori that the two satellites are tethered together. ^However, in some cases, the fact that an observed satellite is a member of a tethered system may not be known a priori. ^In such cases, conventional orbit determination and tracking methods may predict motion of the observed satellite that differs significantly from its actual motion. ^Here, we use mathematical models of a two-satellite tethered system to study the characteristics of the information contained in observations of one of the satellites as a prelude to using such information to determine the motion of the system. ^(Author)