High-integrity TLE error models for MEO and GEO satellites

Danielle Racelis, Mathieu Joerger

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper describes a statistical positioning error analysis for two-line element (TLE) data of a set of medium earth orbiting (MEO) and geostationary earth orbiting (GEO) satellites over the past 20 years. The Joint Space Operations Center (JSpOC) provides spacecraft ephemerides in the form of TLEs, which represent the most comprehensive catalogue of space objects readily accessible to the public. Its utility as an initial estimate tool for space operations has made its limitations a topic of extensive study for many years. In this paper, we compare TLE data with precise ephemerides for tens of thousands of TLE sets, for representative space objects including Global Positioning System (GPS) and Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) satellites. Based on this data, we derive high-integrity error models using overbounding theory to determine probabilistic bounds on the radial, along-track, and cross-track positioning errors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2018 AIAA SPACE and Astronautics Forum and Exposition
PublisherAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA
ISBN (Print)9781624105753
DOIs
StatePublished - 2018
Externally publishedYes
EventAIAA Space and Astronautics Forum and Exposition, 2018 - Orlando, United States
Duration: Sep 17 2018Sep 19 2018

Publication series

Name2018 AIAA SPACE and Astronautics Forum and Exposition

Conference

ConferenceAIAA Space and Astronautics Forum and Exposition, 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando
Period9/17/189/19/18

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Aerospace Engineering

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