Orbit insertion error analysis for a space-based gravitational wave observatory

Constellation is required to be highly stable over several years for a space-based gravitational wave observatory. However, the stability of the constellation can be affected by orbit insertion errors. The effects of orbit insertion errors on the constellation are mainly studied in this paper. Firstly, Monte-Carlo, Unscented Transformation Covariance Analysis Method (UTCAM) and Spherical Simplex Unscented Transformation Covariance Analysis Method (SSUTCAM) are used for simulation. The results indicate that UTCAM and SSUTCAM are highly efficient in calculating, with a relative error of less than 6%. Therefore, it is concluded that because of their accuracy and high efficiency, UTCAM and SSUTCAM can be adequately used in orbit insertion error analysis for a space-based gravitational wave observatory. Secondly, SSUTCAM is used to study the effects of position and velocity errors on the constellation. For the case in this paper, when the position error does not exceed 300 km, and the velocity error does not exceed 4 cm/s, the constellation remains stable.