Optimal-Transport-Based Tracking of Space Objects Using Range Data from a Single Ranging Station Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • 2018 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc. In this paper, an optimal-transport-based state estimation algorithm is applied to the debris-tracking problem, with real range data from a single ranging station. It is shown that the optimal-transport-based nonlinear data assimilation technique is more accurate, robust, and consistent than commonly used ensemble Kalman filtering, especially in astrodynamics problems where uncertainty evolves in a cylindrical coordinate system. It is further shown that the optimal-transport-based state estimation provides accurate 24 h predictions for space objects. This is critical for laser ranging stations, which may miss a pass due to inaccurate predictions. This study incorporates real observation data from the International Laser Ranging Service for two passes of the Starlette satellite.

published proceedings

  • JOURNAL OF GUIDANCE CONTROL AND DYNAMICS

author list (cited authors)

  • Das, N., Deshpande, V., & Bhattacharya, R.

citation count

  • 13

complete list of authors

  • Das, Niladri||Deshpande, Vedang||Bhattacharya, Raktim

publication date

  • June 2019