Voyager orbit determination at Jupiter

Abstract

This paper summarizes the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 orbit determination activity extending from encounter minus 60 days to the Jupiter encounter, and includes quantitative results and conclusions derived from mission experiences. The major topics covered include an identification and quantification of the major orbit determination error sources and a review of salient orbit determination results from encounter, with emphasis on the Jupiter approach phase orbit determination. Special attention is paid to the use of combined spacecraft-based optical observations and earth-based radiometric observations to achieve accurate orbit determination during the Jupiter encounter approach phase.