Program Performs High-Precision Spacecraft-Constellation Navigation

The Multiple Interferometric Ranging Analysis using GPS Ensemble (MIRAGE) computer program processes spacecraft-tracking data to determine orbits of single satellites, or of multiple satellites with intersatellite tracking, to within position errors as small as a few centimeters (see figure). MIRAGE also targets spacecraft maneuvers (changes of velocity) to precision higher than that achievable by current spacecraft hardware. Tracking data that MIRAGE can utilize include Global Positioning System (GPS) pseudorange and phase, data from general range and Doppler measurements, angles, data from optical measurements, and data from very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI). The modular program structure enables addition of other tracking data types for specific user spacecraft.