Shaylah Mutschler, University of Colorado Boulder; Penina Axelrad, University of Colorado Boulder, Space Weather Technology (SWx TREC); Eric Sutton, University of Colorado Boulder, Space Weather Technology (SWx TREC)
Keywords: SSA, LEO, Space Weather, Atmospheric Drag, Density, Acceleration Estimation, Particle Filter, Physics-based Space Environment Model, CubeSat, TIE-GCM
Abstract:
A key requirement for accurate trajectory prediction and Space Domain Awareness (SDA) is knowledge of the non-conservative forces affecting space objects. These effects vary temporally and spatially and are primarily driven by the dynamical behavior of space weather. Existing SDA algorithms adjust space environment models based on observations of calibration satellites. Still, lack of sufficient data and mismodeling of non-conservative forces can cause inaccuracies in space object motion prediction. This work aims to improve our modeling of non-conservative forces, specifically atmospheric drag, by leveraging observations of objects not typically utilized for space environment monitoring.
Recently, there has been a rise in popularity of LEO CubeSats, with several companies establishing commercial CubeSat constellations for remote sensing and communication applications. Our research takes advantage of the abundance and quality of CubeSat GPS information to infer the space environment affecting their motion. We explore rigorous and practically realizable means to utilize CubeSats as indirect sensors of the space environment. The focus is on atmospheric density for more accurate prediction of LEO object motion.
In our previous work, we developed SoleiTool to estimate forcing parameters of a physics-based space environment model using debris tracking data. In this work, we expand SoleiToolÂ’s capabilities to estimate parameters of TIE-GCM using CubeSat GPS information. Precise Orbit Determination (POD) information from nine CubeSats over 11 days is used to sense a global density field when historical data shows two geomagnetic storms via elevated Kp values. This paper explores three SoleiTool approaches to estimate atmospheric density, and compares them to the operationally used model, as well as MSIS. We conclude with a suggestion for which approach is recommended moving forward.
Date of Conference: September 14-17, 2021
Best Student Paper Award Winner 2021
Track: Atmospherics/Space Weather