@article{An2026, 
author = {Zicong An and Lisheng Tong and Wenjian Tao and Yinglang Zhu and Kai Shao and Ming Li and Hexi Baoyin and Defeng Gu and Yunfeng Gao},
title = {Current status and trends of orbit determination technologies for space gravitational wave detectors},
year = {2026},
journal = {Astrodynamics},
volume = {10},
number = {4},
pages = {537-562},
keywords = {space-based gravitational wave detection, distributed formation flying, high-precision orbit determination, ground-based and space-based tracking methods},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.1007/s42064-026-0311-y},
doi = {10.1007/s42064-026-0311-y},
abstract = {Space-based gravitational-wave detection missions typically deploy three spacecraft in a widely spaced triangular formation in deep-space heliocentric or high Earth orbits. Maintaining high-precision coherence across this distributed, large-scale, and multi-degree-of-freedom system is critical to long-term, stable, and precise detector operations. High-accuracy orbit determination is foundational to mission success. Although a variety of tracking and measurement techniques exist, achievable orbit-determination accuracy is constrained by tracking coverage, systematic measurement errors, formation geometry, orbit-control capability, and the geometry of ground-based tracking networks. This paper presents a systematic overview of orbit-determination requirements for different mission architectures, analyses the performance and technical characteristics of ground-based and space-based tracking methods applicable to spacecraft in heliocentric and geocentric orbits, and discusses current challenges and future directions in high-precision orbit determination technologies to enable reliable, precise operation of space-based gravitational-wave detectors.}
}