Calculating Heading, Bank & Attitude of Flight from Data

[kupa]

So this is a pretty specific question, and one that has been puzzling me for a while. Either I'm missing something very basic...or. Anyway, here goes :

There's a flight, that has a dish on it. The flight's dish has reported to me some data : Latititude, Longitude of the flight, Azimuth angle (of satellite relative to flight body), and Elevation angle (of satellite relative to flight body ). I also have satellite longitude (and I know that the satellite is geosynchronous).

From the above I do two things.

1) Using Lat, Lon, Satellite Longitude, I assume level flight and nose of flight pointed north and calculate (x1,y1,z1) of the satellite. ( A unit vector really, pointing in the satellite's direction )

2) Using the Az El reported by the flight, I calculate with the (x2,y2,z2) really is according to the orientation of the flight (shifted co-ordinate frame).

If I calculate the rotation matrix between these two points, should I be able to solve for heading, bank, and attitude of the flight?

Thanks,
Kupa.

 

[jvicens]

Dear Kupa,

Thank you for your question. It sounds like you have all the necessary data to calculate the flight's heading, bank, and attitude. However, there are a few things to consider before attempting to solve for these parameters.

Firstly, the accuracy of your calculations will depend on the accuracy of the data you have received. Make sure that the latitude, longitude, azimuth angle, and elevation angle are all accurate and precise.

Secondly, your assumption of level flight and a north-facing nose may not always be accurate. Depending on the flight's actual flight path and orientation, these assumptions may introduce errors into your calculations. It would be helpful to have additional data points or measurements to confirm these assumptions.

Assuming your data is accurate and your assumptions are valid, you can use the rotation matrix to calculate the flight's heading, bank, and attitude. However, keep in mind that the rotation matrix will only give you the relative orientation of the flight to the satellite. To determine the absolute heading, bank, and attitude of the flight, you will need additional reference points or measurements.

I hope this helps. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.