Extension of region of convergence in orbit determination using function-minimization techniques

Several nonlinear optimization techniques were tested as to their capabilities in orbit determination. Observation data from a down-range station were simulated for the first three passes of the proposed Indian satellite RS-1, and the orbit determination performance of the following procedures was compared: (1) the Davies, Swann and Campey (DSC) method, (2) Brent's modification of Powell's conjugate direction method, (3) simple evolutionary operation methods, as improved by Parkinson and Hutchinson, (4) conjugate gradient method, (5) Davidon-Fletcher-Powell-Stewart variable metric method, (6) Fletcher's dual variable metric algorithm, (7) differential correction with Greenstadt's technique, and (8) differential correction with Greenstadt's technique and linear search. Convergence speed and range of the methods were evaluated.