Performance analysis of a time difference of arrival sensors network for LEO satellites orbit determination

The rising interest for space activities within the so-called "New Space Economy" has led in the past few years to a substantial increase of satellites launches, making space more and more populated, especially in the LEO region, where most of the newly conceived missions are supposed to operate. This phenomenon is imposing the need of an improvement and augmentation of the current space surveillance systems, possibly implementing high-capacity and passive methodologies capable of exploiting standard satellite radio-frequency transmissions. This paper describes and analyzes the performances of a satellite orbit determination method based on Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) measurements, collected by means of a radio stations network. The analysis is aimed at assessing the influence of a variety of parameters on the orbit estimate accuracy, in order to determine whether this method can be used effectively to support and contribute to current space tracking techniques.(c) 2023 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.