Analysis of Numerical Differentiation Methods Applied for Determination of Kinematic Velocities for LEOs

Abstract

Kinematic orbits provide a time series of independent positions, which are a good base for gravity field recovery. Gravity field recovery using the energy integral requires numerical differentiation in order to get velocity information for kinetic energy. This paper deals with numerical differentiation methods to test the most effective method for velocity determination of a LEO (Low Earth Orbiter).