Solution of the Angles-Only Satellite Tracking Problem

Abstract

A single observation station, located at an arbitrary point on the surface of the Earth, can determine only the azimuth and elevation angles of a satellite or ballistic vehicle, and the time at which these observations occur. No information is available about the range or the range-rate of the target. It is shown that five observations of either the elevation or the azimuth, and the time of either set of observations, determine the complete set of orbital elements of the target. The implementation of the theory presented here could provide a great reduction in the hardware costs associated with satellite and reentry vehicle tracking.