Combined Heuristic and Statistical Methodologies applied to Maneuver Detection in the SST Observation Correlation Process

Abstract: In this project, an algorithm has been proposed to detect a satellite’s maneuver by comparingthe orbital elements observed from the two line element data and the orbital elements propagatedwith the help of Simplified perturbations models. A set of TLE data for an object orbiting Earthcontains a specific set of orbital elements. Simplified perturbation are utilized to propagate theorbital velocity and position vector of the same object. By comparing the results obtained fromboth the methods, the maneuvers of a satellite are detected. This project outlines the workingmethodology and the implementation of the algorithm developed to detect the maneuvers. Thefunctioning of the technique is assessed with reference to two case studies for which the maneuverhistory is available by following the approach employed by Kelecy et al. (2007). The same methodis implemented to detect the orbit controlling maneuvers as well as the fine control maneuvers. Theresults derived from the analysis indicate that the maneuvers which has the magnitude of even aslow as cm/s has been detected when the detection parameters are calibrated properly.