Geosynchronous satellites expanding a future GNSS satellite constellation: A precise orbit determination study

The integration of geosynchronous orbit (GSO) satellites in Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) is mostly discussed to enable a regional enhancement for tracking. But how do GSO satellites affect the orbit determination of the rest of the constellation? How accurately can these orbits be determined in a future GNSS tracking scenario with optical links? In this simulation study we analyze the benefit of GSO satellites as an expansion of a MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) satellite constellation – we selected the Galileo satellite constellation – for MEO Precise Orbit Determination (POD). We address not only the impact on POD of MEO satellites but also the possibility to precisely determine the GSO satellites – geostationary orbits (GEO) and inclined geosynchronous orbits (IGSO) – in such an expanded MEO constellation. In addition to GNSS microwave observations, we analyze the influence of different optical links between the participating entities: Optical two-way Inter-Satellite Links (OISL) and ground-space oriented Optical Two-Way Links (OTWL). These optical measurements together with the GNSS microwave observations give a remarkable benefit for the POD capability. In the case of GNSS and OTWL, we simulate the measurements with regard to a network of 16 ground stations. We pay great attention to the simulation of systematic effects of all measurement techniques. We discuss the influence on the systematic errors as well as the formal orbit uncertainties. A MEO constellation expanded with GSO satellites as well as the use of optical links together with GNSS observations not only improves the MEO satellite orbits but also the GSOs to a great extent.     

Higher order ionospheric error correction in BDS precise orbit determination

The ionospheric error affects the accuracy of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems observation and precise orbit determination. Usually, only the first order ionospheric error is considered, which can be eliminated by the ionospheric-free linear combination observation. But the remaining higher order ionospheric error will affect the accuracy of observations and their applications. In this paper, the influence of the higher order ionospheric error have been studied by using the International Geomagnetic Reference Field 13 and the Global Ionosphere Maps model produced by the Center for Orbit Determination in Europe. Focus on ionospheric error, the experiment of paper at doy 302 in 2019, which show that the second order ionospheric error impacting BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) B1I and B3I observation is 6.3569 mm and 11.8484 mm, respectively. Whereas, the third order ionospheric error impacting BDS B1I and B3I observation is 0.1734 mm and 0.3977 mm, respectively. Due to the current measurement accuracy of BDS carrier-phase observation can reach 2 mm, the influence of high order ionospheric error on observation should be considered. For BDS precise orbit determination, the orbit overlapping results are indicated that its orbit accuracy can be improved approximately 5 mm with the higher order ionospheric error correction, which is also in agreement with the results of Satellite Laser Ranging in this work.     

Influence of atmospheric turbulence on planetary transceiver laser ranging

In this paper we investigate the influence of atmospheric turbulence on the performance of the uplink of a planetary transceiver laser ranging system using a single photon detector. We numerically combine the influence of turbulence in the mean intensity profile variations, scintillation, beam-wander induced pointing errors and stochastic time-of-flight variations, using the Hufnagel–Valley turbulence profile to model the ground turbulence behavior. We map the intensity variations due to turbulence to variations in the probability distribution of the arrival time of the 1st photon in a laser pulse, which influences the range measurement error probability distribution. The turbulence models are applied to assess the influence on single-pass range accuracy and precision statistics, as well as the parameter estimation quality of a Phobos Laser Ranging (PLR) mission.     

基于广义相对论的轨道摄动下星间激光相位比对

针对纳米到皮米量级星间激光测距,在地心非旋转坐标系(GCRS)下,考虑卫星轨道摄动引起的广义相对论效应,建立了星间单向以及双向星间激光相位比对模型.通过仿真研究了地球主引力场范围内轨道摄动引起的广义相对论效应对星间激光相位比对误差的影响,并通过星间激光相位比对误差计算星间激光测距误差.不同轨道高度的卫星仿真结果表明,对...     

Inter-satellite links for satellite autonomous integrity monitoring

A new integrity monitoring mechanisms to be implemented on-board on a GNSS taking advantage of inter-satellite links has been introduced. This is based on accurate range and Doppler measurements not affected neither by atmospheric delays nor ground local degradation (multipath and interference). By a linear combination of the Inter-Satellite Links Observables, appropriate observables for both satellite orbits and clock monitoring are obtained and by the proposed algorithms it is possible to reduce the time-to-alarm and the probability of undetected satellite anomalies.     

Optimal satellite formation reconfiguration actuated by inter-satellite electromagnetic forces

The inter-satellite electromagnetic forces generated by the magnetic dipoles on neighboring satellites provide an attractive control actuation alternative for satellite formation flight due to the prominent advantages of no propellant consumption or plume contamination. However, the internal force nature as well as the inherent high nonlinearity and coupling of electromagnetic forces bring unique dynamic characteristics and challenges. This paper investigates the nonlinear translational dynamics, trajectory planning and control of formation reconfiguration actuated by inter-satellite electromagnetic forces. The nonlinear translational dynamic model is derived by utilizing analytical mechanics theory; and analysis on the dynamic characteristics is put forward. Optimal reconfiguration trajectories of electromagnetic force actuated formation are studied by applying optimal control theory and the Gauss pseudospectral method. Considering the high nonlinearity and uncertainty in the dynamic model, an inner-and-outer loop combined control strategy based on feedback linearization theory and adaptive terminal sliding mode control is proposed with finite-time convergence capability and good robust performance. Theoretical analysis and numerical simulation results are presented to validate the feasibility of the proposed translational model, reconfiguration trajectory optimization approach and control strategy.     

单站发射多站接收的空间目标激光测距技术

激光测距作为空间目标测定轨精度最高的技术,对非合作目标的测量精度比微波雷达、光电探测等技术高1～2个数量级,非常有利于非合作目标的精密定位、轨道复核及精确编目,保障在轨空间飞行器的安全。激光在非合作目标表面会发生漫反射,返回光斑弥散、回波微弱,采用大口径望远镜接收系统是必要的。鉴于大口径望远镜研制难度大,提出基于单站发射多站接收的空间目标激光测距新方法,即采用多接收望远镜增加接收面积,实现目标测量能力提升。通过分析单站发射多站接收的激光测距技术特点,基于双望远镜系统开展空间合作目标测量实验,验证了多望远镜接收激光信号的可行性,为该测距技术发展奠定了实验基础。     

Contribution of satellite laser ranging to combined gravity field models

In the framework of satellite-only gravity field modeling, satellite laser ranging (SLR) data is typically exploited to recover long-wavelength features. This contribution provides a detailed discussion of the SLR component of GOCO02S, the latest release of combined models within the GOCO series. Over a period of five years (January 2006 to December 2010), observations to LAGEOS-1, LAGEOS-2, Ajisai, Stella, and Starlette were analyzed. We conducted a series of closed-loop simulations and found that estimating monthly sets of spherical harmonic coefficients beyond degree five leads to exceedingly ill-posed normal equation systems. Therefore, we adopted degree five as the spectral resolution for real data analysis. We compared our monthly coefficient estimates of degree two with SLR and Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) time series provided by the Center for Space Research (CSR) at Austin, Texas. Significant deviations in C₂₀ were noted between SLR and GRACE; the agreement is better for the non-zonal coefficients. Fitting sinusoids together with a linear trend to our C₂₀ time series yielded a rate of (−1.75 ± 0.6) × 10⁻¹¹/yr; this drift is equivalent to a geoid change from pole to equator of 0.35 ± 0.12 mm/yr or an apparent Greenland mass loss of 178.5 ± 61.2 km³/yr. The mean of all monthly solutions, averaged over the five-year period, served as input for the satellite-only model GOCO02S. The contribution of SLR to the combined gravity field model is highest for C₂₀, and hence is essential for the determination of the Earth’s oblateness.     

Simulation of long-term rotational dynamics of large space debris: A TOPEX/Poseidon case study

Accurate knowledge of the rotational dynamics of a large space debris is crucial for space situational awareness (SSA), whether it be for accurate orbital predictions needed for satellite conjunction analyses or for the success of an eventual active debris removal mission charged with stabilization, capture and removal of debris from orbit. In this light, the attitude dynamics of an inoperative satellite of great interest to the space debris community, the joint French and American spacecraft TOPEX/Poseidon, is explored. A comparison of simulation results with observations obtained from high-frequency satellite range measurements is made, showing that the spacecraft is currently spinning about its minor principal axis in a stable manner. Predictions of the evolution of its attitude motion to 2030 are presented, emphasizing the uncertainty on those estimates due to internal energy dissipation, which could cause a change of its spin state in the future. The effect of solar radiation pressure and the eddy-current torque are investigated in detail, and insights into some of the satellite’s missing properties are provided. These results are obtained using a novel, open-source, coupled orbit-attitude propagation software, the Debris SPin/Orbit Simulation Environment (D-SPOSE), whose primary goal is the study of the long-term evolution of the attitude dynamics of large space debris.     

北斗GEO卫星CEI相时延解算方法研究

连线端站干涉测量(connected element interferometry，CEI)是高精度测角技术，在中高轨卫星、月球及深空航天器定轨定位中有良好的应用前景。基于CEI技术特点，提出了一种新的测量方法，即在相干测距模式下利用测距音和载波信号作为信号源进行连线端站干涉测量。构建了CEI试验系统对北斗GEO卫星进行观测，利用相干测距模式下的下行信号解算群时延、相时延。利用北斗GEO卫星精密星历计算的时延理论值，对北斗GEO卫星CEI群时延和相时延结果进行评估。结果表明，相干测距模式下CEI群时延和相时延残差均值分别为0.47ns、0.08ns，标准差(3σ)分别4.2ns、0.13ns。该项研究验证了相干测距模式下CEI相时延解算的可行性，可为共位地球同步卫星精密相对定位、月球探测器CEI测量提供技术参考。