A Review of the Satellites Tracking and Positioning Methods

With the development of the space exploitation technologies, it is necessary to maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the orbital parameters of the resident space objects such as satellites and space debris. In order to estimate the trajectory of the satellites, the information about the shape and orientation of satellite orbits are required. These data are known as Keplerian elements. Since the physics of the Earth and its atmosphere are not sufficiently known, it is not simple to determine Keplerian elements of the satellite orbits based on the specific models.Thus, to estimate the orbital parameters of the civil satellites and calculate their transit time and therefore to determine the accurate orbit of them, it is required to observe these space objects directly. There are several systems and methods for tracking satellites. In this study, three commonly satellite trackingmethods are explained such as laser ranging technology, radar tracking systems and optical tracking sensors. First of all, the basic principles and structures of these methods are disscused and then, the wellknown samples of them are presented. According to the results of this study, satellite tracking based on the optical sensors is more affordable and more robust against environmental conditions. On the other hand, because of the low cost an high accuracy of imaging observations, this method is selected to develop a satellite tracking system.