[Spice_discussion] Two-line elements

[Ed Wright]

On Oct 26, 2005, at 4:02 PM, William Thompson wrote:

> SPICE users:
>
> Is there a way to convert SPICE ephemerides into Two-Line Elements 
> (TLE) files?  I was asked to provide this format by a ground station 
> involved in the STEREO mission.  According to what I've been able to 
> glean from the web, TLEs can only be used for satellites in Earth 
> orbit.  Can TLE files be written for deep-space missions?  Is

To: William Thompson
From: Ed Wright

The mathematical model used to represent orbits as TLEs assumes orbit 
around the earth. To my knowledge, TLEs have never been used for 
objects beyond earth orbit. The forces and perturbations beyond the 
earth's sphere of influence greatly differ from the inherent 
assumptions of the TLE model.

As always,
Ed Wright
ed.wright at jpl.nasa.gov
1-818-354-0371

-- 
DISCLAIMER: JPL requires notice in all electronic communication that
any and all opinions presented herein are my own and do not, in any
way, represent the opinion or policy of JPL, CalTech, NASA, or the US
Government.

Disclaimers are without standing on traffic from this domain.

I do not accept responsibility for unexpected collisions between NASA
vehicles and Alien cruisers, any resulting interplanetary war, or a
grumpy Kilrathi. I take full credit if we take out a Covenant
capital ship, frying the Elites and Brutes.