LEO satellite attitude determination based on GPS

The Global Positioning System (GPS) carrier phase measurement can be used for low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite attitude determination. Two features, the visibility for GPS satellite on a LEO and baseline configuration, are analyzed. The GPS satellite visibility for a LEO satellite is investigated taking into account the shaped GPS transmission antenna pattern. The analysis and simulation results show that for an orbit at the altitude of 950 km, there are four satellites visible normally. Baseline configuration highly impacts on the accuracy of attitude determination. To obtain the most accurate attitude, the baseline should be optimally arranged. The methods for choosing the optimal baseline configuration are presented, which can be applied in both the coplanar and noncoplanar baseline configurations.