GOES-13 Orbit and Attitude Determination Analysis

Abstract

The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) 13 is the first in a new series of weather satellites. Compared to previous GOES satellites, GOES-13 has improved Image Navigation and Registration (INR) accuracy and can continue imaging during eclipse periods. Post launch testing showed that GOES-13 met all INR requirements, but systematic patterns appeared in differences between actual landmark and range measurements and 24-hour measurement predictions based on estimated orbit and attitude parameters. Presence of these residual patterns implied that the models used in Orbit and Attitude Determination (OAD) did not accurately match reality. Thorough investigations were conducted to determine the modeling error source. It was concluded that an angular bias between star and landmark observations was the most likely modeling error, although small uncompensated range biases could also be present. Further analysis of on-orbit and test data eliminated numerous potential instrument, spacecraft and ground processing error sources. Although the cause of the landmark-star bias is still unknown, the bias causes no operational problems because OAD solution of a range bias compensates for the error. Even without range bias adjustment, GOES-13 met all INR requirements with margin.

First GOES-13 Image Navigation & Registration Tests Confirm Improved Performance

“…The means of landmark residuals for the Visible channel were -13.2 and 0.5 µrad for EW and . The observed bias of -13.2 µrad is the subject of another paper 10 , and will not be discussed here. Overall, both the East-West (EW) and North-South (NS) residuals for Visible and IR fell within INR specifications for Navigation, With-Frame, and Frame-to-Frame Registration (Table 2).…”

Instrument observation strategy for a new generation of three-axis-stabilized geostationary meteorological satellites from China

“…For star sensing, the instrument is commanded to dwell at angles determined by the ground system for a given star crossing. The instrument's inertial viewing angles then drift at earth's rotation rate in a roughly westerly direction as the spacecraft's attitude control continuously aligns the instrument boresight with the earth (Gibbs et al, 2008).…”

Instrument observation strategy of new generation three-axis stabilized geostationary meteorological satellite of China

“…For star sensing, the instrument is commanded to dwell at angles determined by the ground system for a given star crossing. The instrument inertial viewing angles then drift at earth rotation rate in a roughly west direction as the spacecraft attitude control continuously aligns the instrument boresight with the earth (Gibbs et al, 2008).…”