Roger L. Mansfield, Astronomical Data Service, Gim J. Der, Der Astrodynamics
Keywords: initial orbit determination, solar system numerical integration, cislunar Earth orbits, spacecraft and space probe trajectories, space situational awareness, asteroids, interplanetary space probes
Abstract:
This paper employs contemporary angles-only methods of initial orbit determination (IOD) and differential correction (DC) to revisit how Gauss solved for the orbit of Ceres using observations taken more than two centuries ago. The solutions obtained with these angles-only algorithms are verified by accurate numerically-integrated ephemerides and published U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO) values. These angles-only IOD and DC algorithms are fully applicable to today’s space situational awareness for both geocentric and heliocentric objects.
Date of Conference: September 20-23, 2016
Track: Poster