An analysis of very short-arc orbit determination for low-Earth objects using sparse optical and laser tracking data

The results show that the reduction in accuracy is not extensive and good orbit predictions are still possible when using only 5 s of data from the beginning of each pass. The results are achievable due to an accurate ballistic coefficient estimation and accurate tracking data. The dependence of the results on the perigee altitude of the objects is obvious, indicating modelling error of the atmospheric mass density in lower orbits remains the dominant source of error.