New Concepts for Non-Real Time On-Board Precise Orbit Determination

Concept study for a non-real time on-board precise orbit determination using GNSS, altimetry data, DORIS, inter-satellite links for satellites in LEO, MEO and GEO.

Current on-board orbit determination concepts are in the most cases an integral part of the satellite avionics. However, it is believed that a capability of on-board precise orbit determination would allow to develop new areas of applications. E.g. autonomous station keeping (LEO, MEO and GEO), on-board SAR processing (LEO), missions with high resolution image processing (LEO) or missions related to atmospheric sounding.For this reason, this study shall investigate the conceptual approach for an on-board precise orbit determination system which is not a part of the on-board avionics. However, it should be investigated in which way the avionics and the on-board precise orbit determination system should interface in an optimal way. In this context, the overall integration and associated interfaces to instrumentation, on-board systems (incl. avionic) and also space to ground interface should be investigated.The concept should consider technologies like GNSS, DORIS, altimetry and inter-satellite links, as potential data sources for the on-board precise orbit determination system. In addition, this on-board precise orbit determination system should be based on a non-real time approach with the clear focus on highest achievable accuracy.