Support estimation of spacecraft parameters (Cr, Cd)

[ChristopherRabotin]

High level description

• Support Cr estimation
• Support Cd estimation
• Support solving for velocity only (no position?) in case only part of the data ought to be trusted

Requirements

• Nyx shall support the estimation of the coefficient of reflectivity of a spacecraft.
• Nyx shall provide a way to input the observed radar cross-sectional area of the spacecraft.
• Nyx shall provide a way to input the expected radar cross-sectional area of the spacecraft based on its physical characteristics.
• Nyx shall provide a way to output the estimated coefficient of reflectivity.
• Nyx shall provide error bounds on the estimated coefficient of reflectivity.
• Nyx shall validate the estimated coefficient of reflectivity against known values for specific spacecraft.

The same shall be applicable to the coefficient of drag.

Test plans

1. Generate a synthetic dataset using Nyx with a known coefficient of reflectivity. This should include a range of relevant state parameters (such as position, velocity, attitude, etc.) and measurements (such as range, range rate, angles, etc.)
2. Initialize the ODProcess with an initial estimate of the coefficient of reflectivity that is different from the known value used in step 1.
3. Run the ODProcess on the synthetic dataset generated in step 1.
4. Compare the estimated coefficient of reflectivity from the ODProcess with the known value used in step 1. The difference between the two values should be within a pre-defined tolerance.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 for a range of different initial estimates of the coefficient of reflectivity and verify that the ODProcess is able to accurately estimate the coefficient of reflectivity in all cases.
6. Repeat steps 1-4 for a range of different state parameters and measurements to ensure that the ODProcess is able to accurately estimate the coefficient of reflectivity in all relevant scenarios.

Design

This is the design section. Each subsection has its own subsection in the quality assurance document.

Algorithm demonstration

If this issue requires a change in an algorithm, it should be described here. This algorithm should be described thoroughly enough to be used as documentation. This section may also simply refer to an algorithm in the literature or in another piece of software that has been validated. The quality of that reference will be determined case by case.

API definition

Define how the Nyx APIs will be affect by this: what are new functions available, do any previous function change their definition, why call these functions by that name, etc.

High level architecture

Document, discuss, and optionally upload design diagram into this section.

Detailed design

The detailed design *will be used in the documentation of how Nyx works.

Feel free to fill out additional QA sections here, but these will typically be determined during the development, including the release in which this issue will be tackled.