Parameter estimation from satellite tracking data

The work carried out on processing satellite tracking data to determine improved estimates for many parameters, is described. In the extraction of information from COS-B observations, effort was concentrated on the estimation of measurement biases and the solar radiation pressure coefficient. In several cases convergence to a stable solution were not obtained due to the round off error that arises because of the almost negligible effect of solar radiation pressure on the evolution of the orbit over the duration of the measurement data spans. Consistent estimates for the range biases were not determined from OTS transfer orbit data. However, throughout the study it is evident that range rate measurements are greatly inferior to range measurements for providing information on either the orbital elements or the other uncertain parameters apart from their own associated biases. Some improvement was determined for the estimates of the OTS drag coefficient and the velocity increment of one of the reorientation maneuver. There is good reason to suppose that these estimations were accompanied by more accurate orbit determination.