Methods for the orbit determination of tethered satellites in the project QPS

The method of the orbit determination of a tethered satellite is introduced, and the plan using an electric wave interferometer is shown. Kyushu University is developing the tethered satellite QTEX. The motion of a tethered satellite is different from that of a general satellite, and it is difficult that a conventional ground station would determine the orbit automatically. On the other hand, Kagoshima University has an electric wave interferometer. It consists of two parabola antennas located at intervals of about 60 m. It is planned that the time lag of electric wave arrivals which can be observed by the interferometer is used for the orbit determination of the tethered satellite QTEX.