Satellite orbit determination by transfer with differenced ranges

Abstract

The original idea of orbit determination called "determination of satellite orbit by transfer" was proposed by the National Time Service Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences. It shows that the system is very stable and the orbit determination accuracy is improved greatly. A new observation mode called "differenced ranges between master station and slave stations by transfer" is introduced. It is the development of "determination of satellite orbit by transfer". In principle, the differenced ranges between master station and slave stations have a high angular resolution, and strongly constrains in the transverse direction of satellite orbit, perpendicular to the line-of-sight. The principle of "differenced ranges between master station and slave stations by transfer" is discussed in detail. And differenced ranges in combination with ranging data were used to determine satellite's orbit and orbit prediction under different arc observations. It shows that orbit determination accuracy for orbit prediction can be improved with differenced ranges in combination with ranging data. © 2012 The Author(s).