Initial Orbit Determination

Initial Orbit Determination (IOD) focuses on accurately and efficiently estimating the position and velocity of a space object from limited observational data, a crucial step in space surveillance and navigation. Recent research emphasizes developing robust, one-shot IOD methods that utilize diverse measurement types (range, range-rate, angle, Doppler shift, even just heading) and avoid reliance on sequential filtering or assumptions about the object's dynamics. These advancements employ techniques like maximum likelihood estimation, weighted least squares, and direct fitting to raw image data, aiming for improved accuracy and reduced computational burden. The resulting improvements in IOD accuracy have significant implications for space traffic management, collision avoidance, and autonomous spacecraft navigation.