Fix OrbitRelativeFrame definition of ambiguous local orbital frames (CCSDS)
Hi everyone,
It seems that in the latest version of the CCSDS CDM pink book (CCSDS 508.0-P-1.0.3) that I found, the RTN frame is defined, page F-2, as an "Object-centered quasi-inertial coordinate system". However, it is currently translated to the QSW(=RTN=RSW) loftype in Orekit instead of QSW_INERTIAL.
This is new information regarding the blue book that currently leave this ambiguity open to interpretation. This is also the convention used by David A. Vallado in "Covariance Transformations for Satellite Flight Dynamics Operations".
Even though the OrbitRelativeFrame
is used for all CCSDS files, this will not impact negatively other formats as the ODM are recommended to use non-ambiguous local orbit frame (XXX_ROTATING or XXX_INERTIAL).
Finally, I emailed the CCSDS and currently waiting for their answer regarding all ambiguous local orbital frame and what to consider by default.
I'm preparing this issue in the very probable case that all ambiguous local orbital frame are to be considered inertial frame.
Cheers, Vincent