OD System for the First Brazilian Satellite-Software Testing, Analysis, andAssessment

摘要

The objective was to test, analyze, and assess the orbit determination (OD)system software developed for the first Brazilian satellite and the Institute of Space Research (INPE). The OD method was based on the weighted least squares differential correction. The testing and analysis of the software was done using the tracking data of three satellites: (1) the GIOTTO (Halley comet encounter mission) of ESA; (2) the BRASILSAT (a Brazilian telecommunications satellite); and (3) the simulated orbits of the first Brazilian satellite. In order to have a better assessment of the software, various test cases with different combinations of perturbation models were chosen. The results obtained in all the test cases for the first two satellites were in very good agreement with those obtained by owner organizations, and the results obtained in the last case were satisfactory.