Error analysis of Gibbs' method for initial orbit determination of space target

In modern war, the space weapon platform can capture enemy's space target and then attack it after determining the orbit, so the error analysis of orbital parameters is of great significance. To precisely analyze the orbit-determination accuracy of orbital elements by Gibbs three-position vector method, the sensitivity matrices of orbit parameters versus the position errors are deduced by using the vector derivatives according to the model of Gibbs' method. The precision of initial orbit determination and error propagation characteristics are determined by the relationship between the orbital parameter errors and position errors. Simulation results show the correctness of the Gibbs method and its error analysis.