What Is Orbit Determination?

The process of using the measurement data to determine the orbit of a spacecraft. The steps are divided into data acquisition and preprocessing, initial track determination, orbit improvement. Orbit determination is usually done by the Space Flight Control Center. The theory of spacecraft orbit determination was originally derived from astronomical mechanics. The objects determined by the orbit in the early celestial mechanics were natural celestial bodies. The determination methods and principles of asteroid orbits in astromechanics can basically be used to determine the orbits of spacecraft. Compared with the determination of orbits of natural celestial bodies, the angular velocity of the spacecraft during flight is large, and the measurement and control network measures many types and quantities of data. Generally, high-speed and large-capacity computers are used for orbit determination in measurement and control networks. The theory and method of spacecraft orbit determination adapted to these characteristics are met to meet the requirements of high precision and real-time performance of orbit determination of aerospace engineering.