Orbit determination for geostationary satellites with the combination of transfer ranging and pseudorange data

Geostationary satellites(GEOs) play a significant role in the regional satellite navigation system.Simulation experiments show that the clock corrections could be mitigated through a single strategy or double differencing strategies for a navigation constellation,but for the mode of individual GEO orbit determination,high precision orbit and clock correction could not be obtained in the orbit determination based on the pseudorange data.A new GEO combined precise orbit determination(POD) strategy is studied in this paper,which combines pseudorange data and C-band transfer ranging data.This strategy overcomes the deficiency of C-band transfer ranging caused by limited stations and tracking time available.With the combination of transfer ranging and pseudorange data,clock corrections between the GEO and the stations can be estimated simultaneously along with orbital parameters,maintaining self-consistency between the satellite ephemeris and clock correction parameters.The error covariance analysis is conducted to illuminate the contributions from the transfer ranging data and the psudoranging data.Using data collected for a Chinese GEO satellite with 3 C-band transfer ranging stations and 4 L-band pseudorange tracking stations,POD experiments indicate that a meter-level accuracy is achievable.The root-mean-square(RMS) of the post-fit C-band ranging data is about 0.203 m,and the RMS of the post-fit pseudorange is 0.408 m.Radial component errors of the POD experiments are independently evaluated with the satellite laser ranging(SLR) data from a station in Beijing,with the residual RMS of 0.076 m.The SLR evaluation also suggests that for 2-h orbital predication,the predicted radial error is about 0.404 m,and the clock correction error is about 1.38 ns.Even for the combination of one C-band transfer ranging station and 4 pseudorange stations,POD is able to achieve a reasonable accuracy with the radial error of 0.280 m and the 2-h predicted radial error of 0.888 m.Clock synchronization between the GEO and tracking stations is achieved with an estimated accuracy of about 1.55 ns,meeting the navigation service requirements.     

恒星背景噪声对星间激光链路跟瞄系统影响的仿真分析

在恒星辐照度谱模型的基础上,根据卫星轨道理论及恒星数据库建立仿真实验系统,对低轨卫星与中继卫星间(LEO_GEO)、中继卫星间(GEO_GEO)、低轨卫星间(LEO_LEO)三种典型的星间激光链路进行了仿真研究,深入分析了恒星背景噪声对卫星光通信终端跟瞄子系统的影响规律、背景光功率等特性。仿真结果表明:对于视场较大的LEO终端,恒星进入视场的概率约为7%~10%,而对于视场较小的GEO终端,恒星进入视场的概率仅为0.05%,恒星背景光功率约为10-13~10-11W。该项工作对星间激光链路设计、光通信系统参数优化等工作具有一定指导意义。     

A simplex method for the orbit determination of maneuvering satellites

A simplex method of orbit determination (SMOD) is presented to solve the problem of orbit determination for maneuvering satellites subject to small and continuous thrust. The objective function is established as the sum of the nth powers of the observation errors based on global positioning satellite (GPS) data. The convergence behavior of the proposed method is analyzed using a range of initial orbital parameter errors and n values to ensure the rapid and accurate convergence of the SMOD. For an uncontrolled satellite, the orbit obtained by the SMOD provides a position error compared with GPS data that is commensurate with that obtained by the least squares technique. For low Earth orbit satellite control, the precision of the acceleration produced by a small pulse thrust is less than 0.1% compared with the calibrated value. The orbit obtained by the SMOD is also compared with weak GPS data for a geostationary Earth orbit satellite over several days. The results show that the position accuracy is within 12.0 m. The working efficiency of the electric propulsion is about 67% compared with the designed value. The analyses provide the guidance for subsequent satellite control. The method is suitable for orbit determination of maneuvering satellites subject to small and continuous thrust.     

Satellite-station time synchronization information based real-time orbit error monitoring and correction of navigation satellite in Beidou System

Satellite-station two-way time comparison is a typical design in Beidou System(BDS)which is significantly different from other satellite navigation systems.As a type of two-way time comparison method,BDS time synchronization is hardly influenced by satellite orbit error,atmosphere delay,tracking station coordinate error and measurement model error.Meanwhile,single-way time comparison can be realized through the method of Multi-satellite Precision Orbit Determination(MPOD)with pseudo-range and carrier phase of monitor receiver.It is proved in the constellation of 3GEO/2IGSO that the radial orbit error can be reflected in the difference between two-way time comparison and single-way time comparison,and that may lead to a substitute for orbit evaluation by SLR.In this article,the relation between orbit error and difference of two-way and single-way time comparison is illustrated based on the whole constellation of BDS.Considering the all-weather and real-time operation mode of two-way time comparison,the orbit error could be quantifiably monitored in a real-time mode through comparing two-way and single-way time synchronization.In addition,the orbit error can be predicted and corrected in a short time based on its periodic characteristic.It is described in the experiments of GEO and IGSO that the prediction accuracy of space signal can be obviously improved when the prediction orbit error is sent to the users through navigation message,and then the UERE including terminal error can be reduced from 0.1 m to 0.4 m while the average accuracy can be improved more than 27%.Though it is still hard to make accuracy improvement for Precision Orbit Determination(POD)and orbit prediction because of the confined tracking net and the difficulties in dynamic model optimization,in this paper,a practical method for orbit accuracy improvement is proposed based on two-way time comparison which can result in the reflection of orbit error.     

Trimode ladar/radar transponder systems for tracking long range cooperative targets

Detection and tracking of cooperative airborne targets are very important for military and also for civilian purposes. Previous research has shown that detection and tracking LASER offer high precision but their operation range is limited to less than 40 km even in good visibility propagation conditions. For long operation ranges, high power and bulky RADAR are required which can be significantly reduced by using active transponders on the cooperative target. A trimode LADAR/RADAR/Transponder system is investigated providing optimum performances. A L band Radar with active transponder is operated for all weather long ranges up to Low Earth Orbit satellites. The L mode is switched to a Mm wave mode RADAR for operation distances lower than 350 km and to an accurate LASER mode for the final tracking steps.     

Review of Geostationary Interferometric Infrared Sounder

To measure the global atmospheric three-dimensional distribution and change of temperature and humidity is one of the key areas in atmospheric remote sensing detection; it is also a new research and development direction in the field of meteorological satellite application. As a main element of China second generation of geostationary meteorological satellite Fengyun 4(FY-4), which was launched on Dec. 11, 2016, the Geostationary Interferometric Infrared Sounder(GIIRS) is the first interferometric infrared sounder working on the international geostationary orbit. It is used for vertical atmospheric sounding and gains atmospheric temperature, humidity, and disturbances. The combination of Fourier transform spectrometer technology and infrared detectors makes GIIRS have high spectral resolution and large coverage over spatial areas. With this kind of instrument, meteorological satellites can improve the capabilities for severe weather event monitoring and numerical weather prediction. Here a concise review of the GIIRS development project, including its history, missions and functions,technical design, key technologies, system integration, calibration and in-orbit operation status, etc., is presented.     

实现同步轨道(GEO)高分辨力对地观测的技术途径(上)

在地球静止同步轨道(GEO)上实现高分辨力对地观测,具有一系列独特优点,远为其它轨道所不及。然而,对于36000 km的远程高分辨力可见波段观测,要求望远镜必须具备20 m以上口径的主镜。传统的空间相机,如果要有如此大的口径,其总质量将超过1000 t,无法发射到GEO上。无支撑薄膜望远镜和大口径衍射望远镜,可以大幅度降低主镜质量面密度,从而降低整个相机系统的总质量,可算是一种极好的技术途径。分步发射与在轨装配,则提供了可供此类观测系统实施从地面转运到GEO的技术手段。基于变换成像原理的傅里叶望远镜,将高分辨力的取得,由增大接收口径转变为加大发射间隔,用大面积回波能量探测加上傅里叶分量重构,取代常见的目标图像直接探测,突破了远程高分辨力观测的致命瓶颈。近完美透镜为突破衍射极限提供了可能性,从而为超分辨力观测开拓出一片科学的新天地。负折射率材料(左手型材料)可制成完美透镜,而光子晶体是负折射率材料的热门选择之一,基于表面等离子激元(SPP)的光子器件则是其另一种选择。     

Orbit determination and prediction for Beidou GEO satellites at the time of the spring/autumn equinox

Geostationary(GEO) satellites form an indispensable component of the constellation of Beidou navigation system(BDS). The ephemerides, or predicted orbits of these GEO satellites(GEOs), are broadcast to positioning, navigation, and timing users. User equivalent ranging error(UERE) based on broadcast message is better than 1.5 m(root formal errors: RMS) for GEO satellites. However, monitoring of UERE indicates that the orbital prediction precision is significantly degraded when the Sun is close to the Earth's equatorial plane(or near spring or autumn Equinox). Error source analysis shows that the complicated solar radiation pressure on satellite buses and the simple box-wing model maybe the major contributor to the deterioration of orbital precision. With the aid of BDS' two-way frequency and time transfer between the GEOs and Beidou time(BDT, that is maintained at the master control station), we propose a new orbit determination strategy, namely three-step approach of the multi-satellite precise orbit determination(MPOD). Pseudo-range(carrier phase) data are transformed to geometric range(biased geometric range) data without clock offsets; and reasonable empirical acceleration parameters are estimated along with orbital elements to account for the error in solar radiation pressure modeling. Experiments with Beidou data show that using the proposed approach, the GEOs' UERE when near the autumn Equinox of 2012 can be improved to 1.3 m from 2.5 m(RMS), and the probability of user equivalent range error(UERE)2.0 m can be improved from 50% to above 85%.     

Optimization method for star tracker orientation in the sun-pointing mode

The star tracker, an optical attitude sensor with high accuracy, is widely used in satellites for attitude determination and control. However, it is susceptible to the sunlight and the earthlight for application on satellites in the sun-synchronous orbit. Therefore, the suppression of the sunlight and the earthlight is important for the star tracker. In this Letter, a vector model is proposed to describe the relationship among the Sun, the Earth, and the satellite body, and, based on the equations of the boundary curves, the vector areas free from the sunlight and the earthlight in the body coordinate system of the satellite are derived. Meanwhile, the installation orientation of the star tracker and the corresponding exclusion angle of the earthlight are optimized. The simulation results indicate that the optimization method for the installation orientation and the exclusion angle of the star tracker is accurate and effective.     

The radiation environment observed by Liulin-Photo and R3D-B3 spectrum-dosimeters inside and outside Foton-M3 spacecraft

In this study we present the results obtained by the couple of active spectrum-dosimeters Liulin-Photo and R3D-B3 on board the Foton-M3 satellite, which flew in Low Earth Orbit from 14 to 26 September 2007. During the Foton-M3 flight the two dosimeters measured in real-time the deposited energy spectrum by the incident ionizing particles, the particle flux and the absorbed dose behind different shielding.By applying recently developed methods to the dosimeter measurements, an assessment of the ambient equivalent dose H*(10) is also performed, distinguishing the dose contributions of low- and high-LET radiation components and evaluating H*(10) in different sectors along the satellite orbit.The experimental data are compared with the results of simulations performed by using the GEANT4 MC code and the SPENVIS and OMERE space environment tools for the free-space particle spectra modelling. The Foton-M3 mission took place during a continuous period of very low solar activity in the minimum phase of the 23rd solar cycle. The results presented in this study contribute to the assessment of the properties of the Low Earth Orbit radiation environment during a well-defined and stable phase of the solar activity and they will be also useful for all those experiments on board Foton-M3 which were sensible to the effects of the ionizing space radiation.     

Multi-life cycles utilization of retired satellites

Retired geosynchronous (GEO) communication satellites affect the GEO orbit environment in outer space. According to the new concept of modern design, the authors propose creatively a method of reusing retired GEO communication satellites, through adjusting retired GEO satellites to slightly inclined orbit geosynchronous (SIGSO) satellites. After these retired satellites are applied to the navigation and communication system, integrity of navigation system and positioning accuracy of the system is improved. Meanwhile, some transponders on these retired satellites can be used to establish a new satellite communication service, and initiate the study and utilization of the multi-life cycle for retired satellites. Experimental results show that this project has significant social value and can make remarkable economic benefit. Supported by the National Basic Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2007CB815501) and the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2007AA12z343)     

低轨微小卫星及小碎片搜索/跟踪机动式大视场光电望远镜

有效反射面积小,运动速度快的空间低轨卫星和小碎片的日益增多对现有地基探测跟踪技术提出了挑战。本文分析了国外现有低轨小目标光电探测技术的发展现状,结合低轨小目标的探测需求,提出了一种用于低轨微小卫星及小碎片搜索/跟踪探测的机动式车载大视场光电望远镜设计方案。介绍了该望远镜的光学系统、跟踪架及载车,描述了它的工作模式和图像处理,讨论了系统的搜索和探测能力。结果表明,该望远镜对300 km轨道高度的目标搜索能力达到13.5星等（相当于直径5 cm目标）,可以满足搜索和跟踪低轨微小卫星及小碎片探测的实际需求。     

GEO and IGSO joint precise orbit determination

Experiments and analyses are carried out for GEO and joint GEO/IGSO precise orbit determination using data recorded by China's regional tracking network.Results show that joint GEO/IGSO orbit determination effectively solves the problem of poor observation geometry for GEO satellites.The laser radial evaluation thus confirms that precision is as good as less than 0.1 m.In the case of joint orbit determination,solving the empirical acceleration can reduce errors introduced by the imprecise solar radiation pr...     

高精度千赫兹流动激光测距系统中国西部地区实测结果分析

为了解决人造卫星激光测距观测站在我国东西部地区分布不均衡的现状,中国地震局地震研究所采用方便运输的载车结构和皮秒级千赫兹半导体激光器,结合自行研制的皮秒级事件计数器和纳秒级距离门,研制了新一代的大口径流动卫星激光测距系统TROS1000.TROS1000具备千赫兹流动激光测距的能力,并且具有机动灵活、架设周期短等特点.2019年9月,TROS1000抵达中国科学院新疆天文台南山观测站,在我国西部地区首次获取千赫兹激光观测数据.经过数据预处理,中低轨卫星的单次精度优于14 mm,高轨卫星的单次精度优于19 mm,与上一代流动激光测距系统相比,其单次精度更高,有效回波信号更多,目标探测能力更强.     

Orbit determination and prediction accuracy analysis for a regional tracking network

China's COMPASS satellite navigation system relies on a regional tracking network to provide navigation services. Limited by its geographic border,the regional network is able to cover only 30% of the medium-earth-orbits(MEO). Accuracy of determined and predicted orbits is not able to satisfy system requirements if the tracking data processing strategy for global tracking network processing is used for the regional network. Two major error sources for orbital prediction are accuracy of initial orbital elements and dynamical modeling. To achieve better prediction accuracy,we propose a two-step orbit determination and prediction strategy. For step 1,only solar radiation pressure(SRP) parameters are estimated along with the orbital elements and other parameters; for step 2,all parameters are estimated but the SRP parameters are tightly constrained to their step 1 estimates. Experimenting with data from a regional GPS network,we conclude for orbital prediction using the proposed two-step strategy,the average user range error(URE) for 24-h prediction arcs is better than 0.6 m.     

空间激光跟瞄中指向驱动电机运动特性研究

设计了一种深空非合作目标的激光扫描、捕获、跟踪地面实验装置,通过模拟深空同轨道运动的两颗卫星跟瞄过程,在理论上计算了跟瞄装置中光束指向驱动电机的最小加速度和其在跟踪过程中的运动特性。理论分析与仿真结果表明,当卫星偏离光斑中心一定距离时,指向驱动电机先加速后减速,补偿这个偏心,重新捕获跟踪卫星;重新捕获到跟踪所需时间受电机加速度和望远镜探测精度以及探测器响应处理时间影响,其中探测器精度对重新捕获到跟踪所需时间影响较大,探测器响应处理时间要减小到最小;为了使从捕获到跟踪过程中卫星始终在扫描光斑范围内,经纬仪驱动电机的最小角加速度为25.5°/s2。     

The principle of the positioning system based on communication satellites

It is a long dream to realize the communication and navigation functionality in a satellite system in the world. This paper introduces how to establish the system, a positioning system based on communication satellites called Chinese Area Positioning System (CAPS). Instead of the typical navigation satellites, the communication satellites are configured firstly to transfer navigation signals from ground stations, and can be used to obtain service of the positioning, velocity and time, and to achieve the function of navigation and positioning. Some key technique issues should be first solved; they include the accuracy position determination and orbit prediction of the communication satellites, the measuring and calculation of transfer time of the signals, the carrier frequency drift in communication satellite signal transfer, how to improve the geometrical configuration of the constellation in the system, and the integration of navigation & communication. Several innovative methods are developed to make the new system have full functions of navigation and communication. Based on the development of crucial techniques and methods, the CAPS demonstration system has been designed and developed. Four communication satellites in the geosynchronous orbit (GEO) located at 87.5°E, 110.5°E, 134°E, 142°E and barometric altimetry are used in the CAPS system. The GEO satellites located at 134°E and 142°E are decommissioned GEO (DGEO) satellites. C-band is used as the navigation band. Dual frequency at C1=4143.15 MHz and C2=3826.02 MHz as well as dual codes with standard code (CA code and precision code (P code)) are adopted. The ground segment consists of five ground stations; the master station is in Lintong, Xi’an. The ground stations take a lot of responsibilities, including monitor and management of the operation of all system components, determination of the satellite position and prediction of the satellite orbit, accomplishment of the virtual atomic clock measurement, transmission and receiving navigation signals to and from each satellite. In the north, the south, the east, the west and the center of Chinese main land, the function of CAPS demonstration system is checked and measured. In cars and on board the system is also checked and measured. The results are as follow: CA-code, horizontal positioning accuracy, 15–25 m (1 σ), vertical, 1–3 m; P-code, horizontal positioning accuracy, 8–10 m (1 σ), vertical, 1–3 m; velocity accuracy, CA-code, 0.13–0.30 m/s, P-code, 0.15–0.17 m/s; time accuracy, CA-code, 160 ns, P-code, 13 ns; determination accuracy of orbit ≤2 m. About 20 million US $ and two years are spent for the development of demonstration. A complete CAPS system is now being established. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 10453001), the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2007CB815500), the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2004AA105030), and the Funds of the Chinese Academy of Sciences for Key Topics in Innovation Engineering (Grant No. KGCXI-21)     

Multi Mode LADAR/RADAR Active Transponder Systems for Tracking Very Long Operation Ranges Cooperative Targets

Tracking of cooperative airborne targets is very important for numerous applications especially for space missions. Previous researches have shown that tracking Laser RADAR (LADAR) offers very high precision and reliability but their operation range is limited to 40 km for good visibility and much less for adverse propagation conditions. Higher operation ranges under all weather conditions require a high power and costly RADAR and/or a light compact tactical low cost RADAR system using active transponders (on the cooperative target) at different frequency bands. In this paper a multimode LADAR/RADAR/Transponder system is investigated. Providing optimum performances and maximum operation range of hundreds of kms up to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellites or space shuttle orbits. These performances are obtained without reducing significantly the tracking accuracy.     

同步卫星扫描视锥与轨道的绘制算法

为了模拟同步卫星在外太空的飞行状态,建设先进的同步卫星模拟仿真系统对于卫星的研制与性能分析有着重要的意义;由于卫星是在特定的轨道上飞行,所以对卫星轨道的绘制建模是卫星模拟仿真系统开发中关键的一环;在这篇文章中介绍了同步卫星与地面观察站通信过程中的扫描视锥与同步卫星运行轨道的绘制算法,重点探讨了基于OpenGL基本矢量图元的绘制以及利用世界坐标系和向量的方法对在绘制过程中所需数据的求解过程;分析了根据同步卫星的运行姿态与其所在轨道的位置来确定同步卫星扫描视锥的角度;最后通过一个虚拟世界的3D引擎验证算法的可行性与绘制效果。     

Shape and gravitational field of the ellipsoidal satellites

The shape and gravitational field of ellipsoidal satellites are studied by using the tidal theory. For ellipsoidal satellites, the following conclusions were obtained: Firstly, in the early stage of the satellite formation, strong tidal friction allowed the satellites move in a synchronous orbit and evolve into a triaxial ellipsoidal shape. Because the tidal potential from the associated primary and the centrifugal potential from the satellite spin are nearly fixed at the surface, the early satellites are the viscoelastic celestial body, and their surfaces are nearly in the hydrostatic equilibrium state. The deformation is fixed in the surface of the satellite. By using the related parameters of primary and satellite, the tidal height and the theoretical lengths of three primary radii of the ellipsoidal satellite are calculated. Secondly, the current ellipsoidal satellites nearly maintain their ellipsoidal shape from solidification, which happened a few billion years ago. According to the satellite shape, we estimated the orbital period and spinning angular velocity, and then determined the evolution of the orbit. Lastly, assuming an ellipsoidal satellite originated in the hydrostatic equilibrium state, the surface shape could be determined by tidal, rotation, and additional potentials. However, the shape of the satellite’s geoid differs from its surface shape. The relationship between these shapes is discussed and a formula for the gravitational harmonic coefficients is presented.