Improved Initial Orbit Determination Based on the Gooding Method of Low Earth Orbit Space Debris Using Space-Based Observations

Abstract

Initial orbit determination (IOD), as a basis for initial orbit association and accurate orbit determination (OD), has a crucial role in the process of obtaining space debris orbit information. Among the traditional methods, the Gooding method has better convergence and stability. In this study, the Gooding method is enhanced to solve the issues discovered. A novel initial orbit determination (IOD) method is developed using the proposed improvement measures of the single-parameter initial value determination (SIVD) method, the fitted-curve noise suppression method, the restricted corrective value solution method, the removal of trivial solutions, etc. The experimental results verify the effectiveness of the improved method. The success rate of the initial orbit determination reached 99%, and the accuracy of the solved orbit parameters was significantly improved, especially the semi-major axis (SMA) error of less than 50 km, accounting for 88% of the total. It can be seen that the method meets the demand of space-based space debris cataloging for initial orbit association and can serve in the field of space situational awareness, which has important practical significance and application potential.