Inventors:
Lawrence Schwartz - Denver CO, US
Assignee:
Raytheon Company - Waltham MA
International Classification:
G01C 21/00, B64G 1/24, B64G 1/36, B64G 1/26
US Classification:
701214, 701 13, 701219, 701226, 342355, 34235702, 34235709, 34235714
Abstract:
A method for calculating a trajectory of a satellite following a maneuver includes determining a first estimated trajectory of a satellite using a first sequential mode of operation; performing a thruster burn as a correction maneuver for the satellite; and providing a real-time assessment of the correction maneuver by utilizing a second sequential mode of operation. The second sequential mode of operation includes receiving a data point from an uplink/downlink facility, determining a second estimated trajectory and an estimated thruster performance of the satellite based upon the received data point, and determining a trajectory error of the satellite based upon the received data point. The method further includes repeating the second sequential mode of operation if the trajectory error is above a specified threshold level, and repeating the first sequential mode of operation if the trajectory error is below the specified threshold level.