Mark Rutten, InTrack Solutions; Cameron Webb, Defence Science Technology Group; Sergey Kharabash, Defence Science Technology Group; Kruger White, Defence Science Technology Group
Keywords: Data Fusion, Space Domain Awareness, Manoeuvre Detection, Orbit Determination
Abstract:
Australia’s Defence Science & Technology Group (DSTG) is developing an experimental space domain awareness (SDA) system to inform the evolution of Australia’s operational SDA capability. The Research and Development Space Target Awareness and Response (RED STAR) system includes a multi-sensor orbit determination data processing pipeline, which accepts data from several different sensor types, performs data curation, and executes orbit determination to form orbital state vectors that are published to a shared repository for exchange with space operators.
An ever-present challenge for orbit determination of active satellites is managing the unpredictable motion of manoeuvring satellites. DSTG has developed an orbit determination algorithm that is based on multiple-model filtering, which provides the ability to estimate the orbit throughout the duration of a manoeuvre. An estimate of an object’s orbit is produced at every observation time along with a probability of manoeuvre, which can be used as a manoeuvre indicator. A multiple-model smoother then uses the output from the multiple-model filter to calculate details of the manoeuvre, such as manoeuvre time and delta-V. DSTG’s orbit determination algorithm can process observation data from multiple sensor locations and sensor types, including ground-based and space-based optical data, deep-space radar and passive RF. At every step the algorithm carefully accounts for the uncertainties in the sensor observation data and generates state and parameter uncertainties (covariance).
This paper describes DSTG’s orbit determination algorithm for manoeuvring satellites. The performance of the algorithm is demonstrated for a simulated scenario in which a Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite conducts known manoeuvres. Details are provided on the relationship between this algorithm and other parts of the RED STAR system, which include data ingestion, data curation and initial orbit determination (IOD). Publication of the resulting state vectors and manoeuvre notifications enables information to be exchanged with external organisations for distributed space operations.
Date of Conference: September 16-19, 2025
Track: Astrodynamics