Speaker
Mr
Pablo Pita Leira
(Goetzfried Professionals GmbH)
Description
The SGP4 (Simplified General Perturbations 4) orbit propagator is a widely used tool for the fast, short term propagation of space orbits. The algorithms in which it is based are thoroughly described in the SPACETRACK report #3, as well as in Vallado et al. update. Current implementations of SGP4 are based on Brouwer's gravity solution and Lane atmospheric model, but using Lyddane's modifications for avoiding loss of precision in the evaluation of the periodic corrections, which are, besides, notably simplified for improving evaluation efficiency. Different alternatives in the literature discuss other variable sets, either canonical or not, that can be used in the computation of periodic corrections (see Izsak, Aksnes, Hoots, or Lara).
This work presents a new implementation of the SGP4 algorithm in Scala that offers a choice about the variable set used for the computation of the periodic corrections. Scala is a hybrid functional/object oriented programming language running in the Java Virtual Machine that allows for incorporating functional features in the design. Validation of the new implementations is made by carrying out different tests based on Vallado's results. Finally, applicability for massive data processing tasks like prediction of orbital collision events and performance are discussed.
References
1.- Hoots, FR, Roehrich, RL, Models for Propagation of the NORAD Element Sets (SPACETRACK rep. #3), 1980.
2.- Vallado, D, Crawford, P, Hujsak, R, Kelso, TS, Revisiting Spacetrack Report #3, AIAA paper 2006-6753, 2006
3.- Brouwer, D, Solution of the problem of artificial satellite theory without drag, Astronomical Journal, vol. 64, pp. 378-397, 1959
4.- Lane, MH, The development of an artificial satellite theory using a power-law atmospheric density representation, AIAA paper 65-35, 1965
5.- Lyddane, RH, Small eccentricities or inclinations in the Brouwer theory of the artificial satellite, Astronomical Journal, vol. 68, pp. 555-558, 1963
6.- Izsak, IG, On satellite orbits with very small eccentricities, Astronomical Journal, vol. 66 pp. 129-131, 1961
7.- Aksnes, K, On the Use of the Hill Variables in Artificial Satellite Theory, Astronomy and Astrophysics, vol. 17, pp. 70-75, 1972
8.- Hoots, FR, Reformulation of the Brouwer geopotential theory for improved computational efficiency, Celestial Mechanics, vol. 24, pp. 367-375, 1981
9.- Lara, M, Efficient Formulation of the Periodic Corrections in Brouwer’s Gravity Solution, Mathematical Problems in Engineering, vol. 2015, Article ID 980652, 9 pp., 2015BD
| Applicant type | First author |
|---|
Primary author
Mr
Pablo Pita Leira
(Goetzfried Professionals GmbH)
Co-author
Dr
Martin Lara
(Space Dynamics Group, Polytechnic University of Madrid, and GRUCACI, University of La Rioja)
