Near-real time atmospheric density model correction using space catalog data

Abstract

Several theories have been presented in regard to creating a neutral density model that is corrected or calibrated in near-real time using data from space catalogs. These theories are usually limited to a small number of frequently tracked "calibration satellites" about which information such as mass and crosssectional area is known very accurately. This work, however, attempts to validate a methodology by which drag information from all available low-altitude space objects is used to update any given density model on a comprehensive basis. The basic update and prediction algorithms and a technique to estimate true ballistic factors are derived in detail. A full simulation capability is independently verified. The process is initially demonstrated using simulated range, azimuth, and elevation observations so that issues such as required number and types of calibration satellites, density of observations, and susceptibility to atmospheric conditions can be examined. Methods of forecasting the density correction models are also validated under different atmospheric conditions.