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Communication Dans Un Congrès Année : 2012

Track initiation using sparse radar data for low earth orbit objects

Résumé

This paper deals with the track-initiation problem of low Earth orbit objects observed by a space surveillance radar system of wide cross-elevation, narrow elevation sized field of view. This sensor configuration involves short arcs from which no orbital state can be computed, making regular tracking techniques not applicable. However, a set of short arcs may contain enough information to deduce such a state, the main problem being to associate them due to the high number of objects and false alarms. Recently, a method to limit the association possibilities of short arcs at one revolution of interval has been proposed. In this paper, an approach to estimate the state (six orbital elements) starting from two short arcs at one revolution of interval is presented, in order to enable track initiation in a multi-target tracking algorithm such as Track- Oriented Multi-Hypothesis Tracking. The method is based on the geometrical determination of four orbital elements, enabling the association of a third short arc to find the two remaining orbital elements. The following hypotheses on the ground radar are made to stick to current specifications of space surveillance systems being designed: south-oriented, monostatic, wide cross-elevation (160 ), narrow elevation (2 ) field of view, provides range, azimuth and elevation measurements. To simulate detections from the ground radar, we use real data from the Space-Track Two-Lines Elements, a space objects catalog provided by USSTRATCOM, combined with an SGP4 propagator. The principle of the presented approach follows three steps: First, the semi-major axis, the inclination, the right ascension of ascending node and the mean anomaly are retrieved from geometrical considerations. Then, the covariance matrix of the obtained state-vector is computed using a Monte-Carlo method, added to a suited process noise covariance matrix. The resulting distribution is propagated at the times of new observations using an unscented transform to assess their correlation. Finally, an iterative Newton-Gauss least square algorithm is used on the set of three correlated short arcs to find the values of the eccentricity and argument of perigee. The resulting state may be used in regular tracking techniques. The principle and functioning of the method on realistic simulation are presented, as well as its performance and limiting cases.
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Dates et versions

hal-00916051 , version 1 (09-12-2013)

Identifiants

  • HAL Id : hal-00916051 , version 1

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Thibaut Castaings, Florent Muller, Benjamin Pannetier, Michèle Rombaut. Track initiation using sparse radar data for low earth orbit objects. 63rd International Astronautical Congress, Naples, Italy, Oct 2012, Naples, Italy. ⟨hal-00916051⟩
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