They can all be updated by the common FDS file editor. The position vectors of the Sun and Moon are extracted from the JPL DE200 Planetary Ephemeris. The FDS Shell is a functionally organized menu bar from which the user can launch as many FDS tools as needed. The Shell can be launched from a desktop icon, and all tools can be launched from a terminal window or a timed script. Orbit Determination Operational since 1976, Telesat's innovative real-time Kalman filter is the primary method for determining orbital elements.
Incoming data are automatically smoothed and culled according to database criteria.
In order to keep the state covariance matrices realistic, the filter includes the effects of both systematic errors and plant noise. The filter is highly coupled with the FDS Editor, the maneuver scheduler, and the maneuver planning tool for instance, the filter is immediately informed about any newly planned maneuvers. The filter supports both GEO and GTO operations. Its main uses include range-bias determination and residual analysis. In addition to automatic culling, the user can manually cull data by drawing a marquee on the residual plot, or by setting multiple culling criteria.