Fast Optimal Orbit Estimation from GPS (Global Positioning System) Measurements

摘要

This report presents an optimal solution to the problem of local orbit estimation of an Earth satellite from observations of range and range-rate provided by n greater than or equal to 3 distinct stations. The procedure is especially suitable for processing measurements generated by the Global Positioning System (GPS). In addition to the position and velocity vectors estimation, the error covariance matrices of the estimates are obtained. Preliminary results indicate that the algorithm developed, named ORBEST, is a promising tool for precision real orbit estimation.