Photometric Data from Non-Resolved Objects for Space Object Characterization and Improved Atmospheric Modeling

Accurate estimates for the drag coefficients of a satellite are important in reducing the biases in densities derived from satellite drag measurements as well as explicitly reducing the errors in orbit prediction. This develops a approach to estimate the drag coefficient for debris objects with known shape models.This paper focuses on rocket bodies in particular. The attitude and angular velocities are determined and there orientations estimates are used to computer the drag coefficient using a flat plate model. A nonlinear least squares estimator is used to estimate the attitude and angular velocity of the space object; both real data and simulated data scenarios are shown. A number representative rocket body models are used for simulated data examples, and real data examples. Good performance was shown for both simulated and real data case.