Abstract: A method of determining an orbit of an orbital object includes computing predicted tracking measurement values based on the orbit computed from the initial conditions factoring in any modeled environmental forces and realistic maneuvers; computing the differences between the actual and predicted tracking measurements; determining an improved estimate of the initial conditions that reduces the measurement errors using a minimization or root finding algorithm; after the algorithm has converged, reviewing the hypothetical maneuvers in the force model, taking each value and determining which values came up as near-zero in the minimized solutions and which values came up as those of measurable thrust; determining overall burn duration using the first and last burn times; determining the thrust profile of the orbital object over the observation period using the integrated thrust values; and determining the actual maneuver based on the observation data.

Abstract: A method of determining an orbit of an orbital object includes computing predicted tracking measurement values based on the orbit computed from the initial conditions factoring in any modeled environmental forces and realistic maneuvers; computing the differences between the actual and predicted tracking measurements; determining an improved estimate of the initial conditions that reduces the measurement errors using a minimization or root finding algorithm; after the algorithm has converged, reviewing the hypothetical maneuvers in the force model, taking each value and determining which values came up as near-zero in the minimized solutions and which values came up as those of measurable thrust; determining overall burn duration using the first and last burn times; determining the thrust profile of the orbital object over the observation period using the integrated thrust values; and determining the actual maneuver based on the observation data.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the measurement of pressure and pressure differentials utilizing ferromagnetic fluids. The inventive devices include a ferromagnetic fluid physically arranged to be subjected to the pressure being monitored. Changes in the monitored pressure cause physical displacement of the ferromagnetic fluid. The displacements are detected by utilizing the magnetic characteristics of the ferromagnetic fluids to generate useful output signals.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a liquid-level sensor utilizing a ferromagnetic fluid. The magnetic characteristics of the fluid are utilized in a magnetic circuit which generates the output signal and are also useful in the mechanical operation of the sensor. The magnetic characteristics of the ferromagnetic fluid, therefore, serve a twofold purpose in the inventive sensor.