Low earth orbit satellite propagators

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dc.contributor.advisorDu Plessis, J. J.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorDu Plessis, Jan Abraham Francoisen_ZA
dc.contributor.otherStellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
dc.date.accessioned2012-08-27T11:34:27Z
dc.date.available2012-08-27T11:34:27Z
dc.date.issued1999-12
dc.descriptionThesis (M.Ing.) -- University of Stellenbosch, 1999.
dc.description.abstractENGLISH ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to implement an orbital propagation algorithm, which could be used for the purpose of mission planning and hardware-in- the-loop simulations for the SUNSAT microsatellite. Different propagation algorithms were investigated in order to find one for which the initial conditions for the propagator was freely obtainable and that satisfied the accuracy specification as determined by the onboard activities. The SGP4 analytical algorithm was selected for this purpose. Along with the propagation of the position of the satellite in its orbit, different models were investigated and implemented for modelling the space environment as the sensors observe it onboard the satellite. A conceptual study was performed on methods to improve the quality of the orbital predictions by the combination of sensor measurements with an orbital propagation algorithm in an extended Kalman filter. Knowledge was gained and documented in the field of astrodynamics and it was applied in a practical situation during the launch and operation of SUNSAT.
dc.description.abstractAFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doelwit van hierdie studie was die implementering van 'n wentelbaan voorspellings-algoritme wat gebruik kon word vir missie-beplanning en apparatuur- in-die-lus simulasie van die SUNSAT mikrosatelliet. Verskeie voorspellings algoritmes is ondersoek in 'n poging om 'n algoritme te vind waarvan die begintoestande algemeen beskikbaar is en wat aan die vereistes vir akkuraatheid, soos bepaal deur die aktiwiteite aan boord van die satelliet, voldoen. Die SGP4 analitiese voorspellings-algoritme is gekies vir hierdie doel. Saam met die voorspelling van die posisie van die satelliet in die wentelbaan is verskeie modelle wat die ruimte omgewing beskryf soos wat dit deur die sensore waargeneem word, ondersoek en gelmplementeer. 'n Ondersoek in beginsel is ingestel na metodes wat gebruik kan word om die kwaliteit van die wentelbaan-voorspellings te verbeter deur sensor-lesings en 'n voorspellingsalgoritme te kombineer in 'n uitgebreide Kalman-filter. Kennis is versamel en gedokumenteer in die studieveld van ruimte-dinamika en hierdie kennis is prakties toegepas tydens die lansering en bedryf van SUNSAT.
dc.description.versionMaster
dc.format.extent146 pages : ill.
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/51326
dc.language.isoen_ZAen_ZA
dc.publisherStellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
dc.rights.holderStellenbosch University
dc.subjectOrbitsen_ZA
dc.subjectArtificial satellitesen_ZA
dc.subjectDissertations -- Electronic engineeringen_ZA
dc.subjectSatellite orbit predictionsen_ZA
dc.subjectOrbit determination algorithmsen_ZA
dc.titleLow earth orbit satellite propagatorsen_ZA
dc.typeThesisen_ZA
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