Comparative studies of some artificial satellites observations and fitting the output data using Spline technique

Abstract

The satellite laser ranging is considered to be one of the most accurate techniques available to track the artificial earth's satellites. The high precision

measurements achieved at several SLR stations have resulted in many new and exiting science applications. Therefore, all SLR stations are concerned with improving the accuracy of the distance measurements by upgrading the used hardware and software. In this thesis, the satellite laser ranging from Helwan-SLR station is studied; the upgrading, which has been made to the station, the analysis procedures used for analyzing the SLR data, and some comparative statistical studies on Helwan-SLR data are presented. In addition to that, one of the tasks in this work is to deal with the problem of fitness of data. Needless to say that the process of smoothing the SLR data is considered to be the first step for any analysis or further scientific study related to the satellite laser ranging. So, a method for analyzing the SLR data is applied using the spline technique in order to obtain what is the so-called best fitting. Chapter one represents a historical background on the satellite laser ranging followed by the principles and the purposes of the satellite tracking using the laser beam. Also, some information about the satellites, which have been tracked from Helwan-SLR station, are represented. In addition to that, a historical review of Helwan-SLR station is given. The description and the upgrading of the equipment of the Helwan satellite laser ranging station are also given. The software and the hardware related to the system are explained followed by the method used for calibrating the system of the Helwan-SLR station. Moreover, this chapter gives a mathematical interpretation of the data