Spaceraft orbit estimation VIA optical observation / Karim Ahmed Abdelrazik Hassan Kamal Aldin ; Supervised Ayman Hamdy Kassem , Gamal M. Elbayoumi , Tamer Mekky Ahmed Habib

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Engineering - Department of Aerospace Engineering

This thesis presents a methodology in how to correct the knowledge about the satellite{u2019}s position and velocity, using azimuth and elevation measurements. Azimuth and elevation measurements mean optical observation measurements. Comparing the propagated values with the measured values at the measuring time, and try to find the best satellite initial condition (position and velocity) which produce minimum difference between the propagated and measured values. This process is used to correct the information about the satellites initial condition. The corrected satellite initial condition is used for propagation for further period of time. Using low cost commercial camera to get our measurements, where these measurements are the satellite azimuth and elevation angles with respect to the observer topo-centric axis. Images for the sky were taken while the satellite is passing above the observation site. Satellite{u2019}s azimuth and elevation angles can be obtained from these images. These azimuth and elevation measurements could be used to correct the satellite initial condition. The minimum required number of measurements and it is corresponding accuracy could be obtained in order to correct the satellite initial condition

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