Ballistic Coefficient Calculation Based on Optical Angle Measurements of Space Debris

Abstract

Atmospheric drag is an important factor affecting orbit determination and prediction of low-orbit space debris. To obtain accurate ballistic coefficients of space debris, we propose a calculation method based on measured optical angles. Angle measurements of space debris with a perigee height below 1400 km acquired from a photoelectric array were used for orbit determination. Perturbation equations of atmospheric drag were used to calculate the semi-major-axis variation. The ballistic coefficients of space debris were estimated and compared with those published by the North American Aerospace Defense Command in terms of orbit prediction error. The 48 h orbit prediction error of the ballistic coefficients obtained from the proposed method is reduced by 18.65% compared with the published error. Hence, our method seems suitable for calculating space debris ballistic coefficients and supporting related practical applications.

Measurements of Spatial Angles Using Diamond Nitrogen–Vacancy Center Optical Detection Magnetic Resonance

“…The application of spatial angle measurement is very extensive, involving multiple fields such as materials science, biomedicine, control systems, aerospace, and aviation, and it is of great significance for research and practical applications [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Angle measurement is mainly divided into two types: contact and non-contact.…”