Abstract
HY-2A (Haiyang 2A) is the first altimetry satellite in China, and it was designed to be in a repeated ground track orbit to achieve the mission targets. Maneuvers are necessary to keep the satellite on the designed orbit according to the dynamic precise orbital prediction. Atmospheric density models are essential for predicting the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, such as HY-2A. Nevertheless, it is a complex process to determine the optimal atmospheric density model for orbit prediction. In this paper, short-term and long-term orbit predictions based on the dynamic method using three different atmospheric density models are tested. Detailed comparisons and evaluation of the accuracy of the predicted results are performed. Furthermore, to assess the results for the ground tracking of the satellite, the interpolation method especially for a spherical surface is introduced. The results show that among the three models, the Jacchia 1971 model is in the closest agreement with Multi-Mission Ground Segment for Altimetry precise positioning and Orbitography (SSALTO) precise orbits. The root-mean-squares (RMSs) of radial orbit differences between the predicted and precise orbits are 0.016 m, 0.091 m, 0.176 m, 0.573 m, and 1.421 m for predicted 1-h, 12-h, 1-day, 3-day, and 7-day arcs, respectively.
Highlights
The space environment includes solar radiation, the Earth’s neutral atmosphere, the regional ionosphere, the Earth’s magnetic field, etc
The precise orbits released by SSALTO are used as a reference for the computation and evaluation of the prediction errors, which are the orbital biases of predicted orbits from the HY-2A precise orbits in the section
This work will provide an important reference for other altimetry satellite orbit predictions and can play a guiding role, especially for the precise orbit prediction for low Earth orbit (LEO) navigation satellites to be launched in the future
Summary
The space environment includes solar radiation, the Earth’s neutral atmosphere, the regional ionosphere, the Earth’s magnetic field, etc. During the travel of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites in space, several kinds of space environment factors affect the trajectory of these missions, and atmospheric drag deduced from atmospheric density is a significant factor. These missions are loaded with observation equipment, and the observation data can be used in many fields such as meteorology, resource exploration, environmental monitoring, and space weather monitoring [1]. The precise prediction of the satellite orbit can guarantee the accuracy of the obtained observations and the validity of the data analysis. Precise orbit prediction and ground trajectory distance control are Remote Sens. Precise orbit prediction and ground trajectory distance control are Remote Sens. 2019, 11, 40; doi:10.3390/rs11010040 www.mdpi.com/journal/remotesensing
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