Comparing Precision Orbit Solutions of Geodetic Satellites Given Several Atmospheric Density Models.

摘要

Many aspects of a satellite mission are directly impacted by the ability to precisely determine and accurately predict the satellite's orbit through high precision orbit determination. While gravity forces are typically well understood, the modeling of non-conservative forces to a high precision, which is critical to high precision orbit determination of satellites in low Earth orbit, is often more challenging. A number of current and historically recommended atmospheric density models are examined using the Naval Research Laboratory's Orbit Covariance Estimation and ANalysis (OCEAN) tool. High precision laser ranging data to geodetic satellites were used as test cases to evaluate the solution accuracy and predictive capabilities of the atmospheric density models. Orbit fit and prediction comparison metrics are generated for multiple atmospheric density models. Generally, the Jacchia-Bowman 2008 model results in predictive orbit solutions that more closely follow the definitive orbit solution over the entire 30 day prediction span. Surprisingly, the exponential atmospheric density model, while the simplest model, preforms almost as well over the first ten days of orbit prediction.