Study of Low-Cost Orbit Determination System for Tethered Satellites

The statistics of estimated errors when conducting the orbit determination of a tethered satellite system (TSS) by only using Doppler frequencies is shown. TSS consists of two satellites connected each other by a tether. The center of mass (CM) moves like a single satellite, so this system can be utilized also for a single satellite case as well as for TSS. This is considered as a low-cost orbit determination system because it can be realized with simple instruments, This kind of low-cost ground station will charm institutions that are developing a micro satellite in a small budget. The result will provide a useful reference in constructing a ground station for the orbit determination by only Doppler frequencies.