How many satellites can ODTK handle?

How many satellites can ODTK handle?

It depends. The answer, as with many complex software applications, is not straightforward. In this blog post, we will explore the factors that influence the number of satellites ODTK can handle and provide insights into optimizing its performance.

1. Orbit Determination Considerations: ODTK can handle approximately tens of satellites for Orbit determination and prediction. However, this figure serves as a general guideline. When performing Orbit Determination, several factors come into play, such as accuracy and timeliness requirements. Answering the following questions can help determine the optimal approach:

• Do you prioritize faster results with lower accuracy or slower results with higher accuracy?
• If speed is crucial, processing fewer satellites will improve performance.
• If accuracy is the priority, using a higher number of measurements per second will limit the number of satellites that can be processed effectively.

2. Balancing Speed and Accuracy: Reducing the number of measurements can improve processing speed but may reduce accuracy. Therefore, determining the overall accuracy required for each satellite is essential. Consider whether it is more important to minimize the number of measurements (for improved speed) or minimize the size of orbit errors (for reduced speed but increased accuracy).
3. Manual Processing Limitations: ODTK is primarily designed for Orbit Analysts and Engineers and lacks built-in automation. Processing a large number of satellites can be labor-intensive, requiring numerous button-clicks and actions.  Without automation, the number of satellites that can be effectively processed is limited. With LSAS’s UMA, automation is used to allow Operators and Engineers to process more data and more satellites in operations because automation improves operator speed and reduces risks of operator errors.

If the capabilities required exceeds ODTK’s capabilities, LSAS's UMA FD can support. 

• UMA FD is for Increased Satellite Processing Capability:
• UMA FD offers automation tools for ODTK, enhancing its capabilities. UMA, built on top of ODTK, provides Orbit Estimation and Prediction functionalities to aid operations. With UMA FD, more measurements and satellites can be processed efficiently, speeding up the overall workflow.
• UMA FD is built on ODTK and uses desktop hardware. When the capabilities exceed UMA: FD’s capabilities, then COMSPOC’s SSA Suite can be used.

If the capabilities required exceeds both ODTK and UMA:FD, COMSPOC's SSA Suite can support.

• SSA Suite is for higher satellite counts and for the highest satellite processing capability available. 
• If you need to estimate orbits for a larger number of satellites, consider leveraging the SSA Suite from COMSPOC. SSA Suite automates orbit estimation and orbit prediction, enabling the processing of hundreds to hundreds of thousands of satellites in "real-time." Real-time in this context refers processing of data effectively, for example, Real-Time process is when you process one hour's worth of data in less than one hour of time. This SSA suite provides comprehensive Orbit Determination capabilities for high-volume satellite operations.

Conclusion: Determining the number of satellites ODTK can handle depends on several factors, including the desired accuracy, speed requirements, and the presence of automation tools. ODTK offers effective Orbit Determination for tens of satellites, but considerations for accuracy and efficiency must be taken into account. For increased processing capabilities, LSAS's UMA FD and COMSPOC's SSA Suite provide valuable automation and scalability options, enabling the processing of more measurements and higher satellite counts. By understanding these considerations and leveraging the appropriate tools, you can optimize your use of ODTK and achieve accurate and efficient Orbit Determination results.

This is a general guide but the considerations are far more complex. Please reach out to Tec-Support to determine which technology is right for your team.

If you have any further questions or need assistance, we are here to help! Our dedicated Tec-Support team is ready to provide prompt and personalized assistance tailored to your needs. Please don't hesitate to reach out by submitting a ticket by going to https://lsas-tec.freshdesk.com/support/tickets/new. We look forward to assisting you and ensuring a positive experience.

Thanks,

LSAS Tec-Support Team