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Ballistic Coefficient Calculation Based on Optical Angle Measurements of Space Debris

Authors :
Yigao Ding
Zhenwei Li
Chengzhi Liu
Zhe Kang
Mingguo Sun
Jiannan Sun
Long Chen
Source :
Sensors, Vol 23, Iss 18, p 7668 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2023.

Abstract

Atmospheric drag is an important factor affecting orbit determination and prediction of low-orbit space debris. To obtain accurate ballistic coefficients of space debris, we propose a calculation method based on measured optical angles. Angle measurements of space debris with a perigee height below 1400 km acquired from a photoelectric array were used for orbit determination. Perturbation equations of atmospheric drag were used to calculate the semi-major-axis variation. The ballistic coefficients of space debris were estimated and compared with those published by the North American Aerospace Defense Command in terms of orbit prediction error. The 48 h orbit prediction error of the ballistic coefficients obtained from the proposed method is reduced by 18.65% compared with the published error. Hence, our method seems suitable for calculating space debris ballistic coefficients and supporting related practical applications.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14248220
Volume :
23
Issue :
18
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Sensors
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.9132a761e9b14c87ab930c12ff51346e
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/s23187668