Trajectory estimation system for an orbiting satellite
First Claim
1. A system for determining a trajectory of a satellite comprising:
- a processor; and
a computer program stored in a computer-readable medium, and executable on the processor, the computer program operable, when executed on the processor to;
determine a first estimated trajectory of a satellite using a first sequential mode of operation;
perform a thruster burn as a correction maneuver for the satellite;
provide a real-time assessment of the correction maneuver by utilizing a second sequential mode of operation, the second sequential mode of operation comprising;
receiving a data point from an uplink/downlink facility;
determining, using a least squares algorithm, a second estimated trajectory and an estimated thruster performance of the satellite based upon the received data point; and
determining, using the least squares algorithm, a trajectory error of the satellite based upon the received data point, the trajectory error including a vector quantity indicating position error in space and a scalar error value; and
repeat the second sequential mode of operation if the trajectory error is above a specified threshold level; and
repeat the first sequential mode of operation if the trajectory error is below the specified threshold level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for calculating a trajectory of a satellite following a maneuver includes determining a first estimated trajectory of a satellite using a first sequential mode of operation; performing a thruster burn as a correction maneuver for the satellite; and providing a real-time assessment of the correction maneuver by utilizing a second sequential mode of operation. The second sequential mode of operation includes receiving a data point from an uplink/downlink facility, determining a second estimated trajectory and an estimated thruster performance of the satellite based upon the received data point, and determining a trajectory error of the satellite based upon the received data point. The method further includes repeating the second sequential mode of operation if the trajectory error is above a specified threshold level, and repeating the first sequential mode of operation if the trajectory error is below the specified threshold level.
21 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system for determining a trajectory of a satellite comprising:
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a processor; and a computer program stored in a computer-readable medium, and executable on the processor, the computer program operable, when executed on the processor to; determine a first estimated trajectory of a satellite using a first sequential mode of operation; perform a thruster burn as a correction maneuver for the satellite; provide a real-time assessment of the correction maneuver by utilizing a second sequential mode of operation, the second sequential mode of operation comprising; receiving a data point from an uplink/downlink facility; determining, using a least squares algorithm, a second estimated trajectory and an estimated thruster performance of the satellite based upon the received data point; and determining, using the least squares algorithm, a trajectory error of the satellite based upon the received data point, the trajectory error including a vector quantity indicating position error in space and a scalar error value; and repeat the second sequential mode of operation if the trajectory error is above a specified threshold level; and repeat the first sequential mode of operation if the trajectory error is below the specified threshold level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A system comprising:
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a processor; and a computer program stored in a computer-readable medium and executable on the processor, the computer program operable, when executed on the processor to; determine a first estimated trajectory of a satellite using a first sequential mode of operation; perform a thruster burn as a correction maneuver for the satellite; provide a real-time assessment of the correction maneuver by utilizing a second sequential mode of operation, the second sequential mode of operation comprising; receiving a data point from an uplink/downlink facility; determining, using a least squares algorithm, a second estimated trajectory and an estimated thruster performance of the satellite based upon the received data point; and determining, using the least squares algorithm, a trajectory error of the satellite based upon the received data point, the trajectory error including a vector quantity indicating position error in space and a scalar error value; and repeat the second sequential mode of operation if the trajectory error is above a specified threshold level; and repeat the first sequential mode of operation if the trajectory error is below the specified threshold level. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for calculating a trajectory of a satellite following a maneuver comprising:
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determining a first estimated trajectory of a satellite using a first sequential mode of operation; performing a thruster bum as a correction maneuver for the satellite; providing a real-time assessment of the correction maneuver by utilizing a second sequential mode of operation, the second sequential mode of operation comprising; receiving a data point from an uplink/downlink facility; determining, using a least squares algorithm, a second estimated trajectory and an estimated thruster performance of the satellite based upon the received data point; determining, using the least squares algorithm, a trajectory error of the satellite based upon the received data point, the trajectory error including a vector quantity indicating position error in space and a scalar error value; and repeating the second sequential mode of operation if the trajectory error is above a specified threshold level; and repeating the first sequential mode of operation if the trajectory error is below the specified threshold level. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification