Orbit determination using passive optical communication observations

A method to compute satellite orbital parameters based on measurements of the optical Doppler shift in the presence of noise is presented. Compared to previous radio frequency methods, the orbit determination accuracy from a known ground station position is calculated to be improved by five orders of magnitude, yielding μm-order range rate information. A commentary on the main system design drivers is presented and a path towards realizing a benchtop emulator is outlined, alongside extensions to a full system demonstration. Applications of this work extend to space situational awareness and provide a secondary, passive, GPS/GNSS-independent method of spacecraft orbit determination.