The work on Comet Halley's orbit at ESOC

Abstract

The predominant error source in the final navigation for the Giotto Comet fly-by of Halley's nucleus is due to uncertainties in the comet's ephemeris. Efforts are being undertaken at ESOC to improve the prediction of the comet's state at the time of the encounter. Some of the aspects involved in the problem discussed include ways to improve old observations by re-measurement or re-reduction and encouragement to observers to take fine quality astrometric observations in the future, especially at critical times. Difficulties in the mathematical modelling of the non-gravitational forces and possible offsets of the comet's center-of-light from its center-of-mass are addressed. The available estimation techniques are also examined including one based upon selecting optimum observations.