VOL. 11: Analysis of Selected Orbit Propagation Models for the SeaWiFS Mission.
Citation:
Patt, F.S., C.M. Hoisington, W.W. Gregg, and P.L. Coronado, 1993: Analysis of Selected
Orbit Propagation Models for the SeaWiFS Mission. NASA Tech. Memo. 104566, Vol.
11, S.B. Hooker, E.R. Firestone, and A.W. ndest, Eds., NASA Goddard Space Flight
Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, 16 pp.
An analysis of orbit propagation models was performed by the Mission
Operations element of the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS)
Project, which has overall responsibility for the instrument scheduling.
The orbit propagators selected for this analysis are widely available
general perturbations models. The analysis includes both absolute accuracy
determination and comparisons of different versions of the models. The
results show that all of the models tested meet accuracy requirements for
scheduling and data acquisition purposes. For internal Project use the
SGP4 propagator, developed by the North American Air Defense (NORAD)
Command, has been selected. This model includes atmospheric drag effects
and, therefore, provides better accuracy. For High Resolution Picture
Transmission (HRPT) ground stations, which have less stringent accuracy
requirements, the publicly available Brouwer-Lyddane models are recommended.
The SeaWiFS Project will make available portable source code for a version
of this model developed by the Data Capture Facility (DCF).
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