On the Coupling of Orbit and Attitude Determination of Satellite Formations from Atmospheric Drag

Observability and Estimation Performance

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Abstract

Spacecraft orbit and attitude dynamics have been classically seen as two separated
subjects, since the effect of attitude in orbit dynamics was deemed too small to be
considered, or simply, modeled as noise in the estimation process for most satellites.
In the eighties, a study by [1] showed that for a very large spacecraft, approximately
the size of the International Space Station, the effect of the attitude in the
orbit dynamics should be considered.