[IGSMAIL-8663] COSPAR Scientific Assembly, Session PSD.1– Satellite Dynamics: New Developments and Challenges for Earth and Solar System Sciences

[Adrian Jäggi]

Dear colleagues,

we would like to draw your attention to the session "PSD.1: Satellite 
Dynamics: New Developments and Challenges for Earth and Solar System 
Sciences" organized at the 46th Scientific Assembly of the Committee on 
Space Research (COSPAR), to be held in Florence, Italy, August 1 - 9, 2026.

PSD.1 session description:

The aim of the Panel on Satellite Dynamics (PSD) is to support 
activities related to the detailed description of the motion of 
artificial celestial bodies. This goal should be achieved by improving 
the current theories of motion and by evaluating their determining 
forces in a more sophisticated way. Detailed theoretical understanding 
of the dynamics of satellites should coincide with the results of 
precise tracking in order to obtain the most precise knowledge possible 
of the orbit and the corresponding orbital positions.

The scope of the Panel on Satellite Dynamics entails the positioning of 
a wide range of objects in space, including Earth orbiting satellites 
for Earth observation such as GRACE-FO, Swarm, Jason series, the 
Copernicus Sentinels, the future co-location in space mission Genesis 
and next generation gravity missions, and navigation satellite systems 
such as GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS or tracking systems such as 
SLR and DORIS. In addition, positioning plays an important role in the 
success of the continuously growing number of today's and tomorrow’s 
missions to explore the Solar System. Recent and future missions have to 
deal with complex trajectories and innovative propulsion and breaking 
techniques to visit multiple bodies (e.g., Cassini, Dawn, JUICE), small 
unconventional bodies (e.g., Hera, OSIRIS-REx, Lucy), and harsh and 
unknown environmental conditions challenging our technical capabilities 
(e.g., Messenger, Venus Express, BepiColombo, JUNO). Both advances in 
the modeling of spacecraft dynamics and the theoretical understanding of 
space observables (e.g., range, Doppler, VLBI, optical) are required to 
allow for a more efficient exploration and a deeper understanding of our 
Solar System.

Limiting errors in Precise Orbit Determination (solar radiation 
pressure, time variable gravity fields, phase center corrections, 
attitude variations, etc...) are of critical interest for many 
stakeholders. Moreover, formations of satellites are being realized and 
proposed for Earth observation and fundamental sciences, that impose 
very severe constraints on (relative) positioning and orbit and attitude 
control solutions (e.g. micro-propulsion). Mini-satellites and cubesats 
also represent a new frontier for both Earth and planetary exploration, 
posing new challenges as well as new opportunities.

Satellite orbit determination requires the availability of tracking 
systems, well established reference frames and accurate station 
coordinate solutions, detailed force and satellite models, and 
high-precision time and frequency standards.

Contributions covering all recent developments and plans in ground, 
satellite or probe positioning and navigation are solicited as well as 
contributions on current progress on establishment, maintenance and 
improvement of reference systems in Geo- and planetary sciences.

Please consider submitting an abstract to this dedicated orbit session. 
The deadline for abstract submission is February 13, 2026. We are 
looking forward to your contribution.

On behalf of the convenors of session PSD.1,

Adrian Jäggi

Co-convener: Francesco Topputo


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  Adrian Jaeggi                     Astronomical Institute, University of Bern
  adrian.jaeggi at unibe.ch            Sidlerstrasse 5, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
  http://www.aiub.unibe.ch/         Tel: +41 31 6848596
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