By determining the range of a satellite at or near the observer's local zenith, the semi-major axis of the orbit can also be determined as long as the satellite has a roughly circular orbit (eccentricity of nearly 0). Most low-altitude LEO satellites fit this category because a high-eccentricity LEO orbit would mean a perigee of below the Earth's surface.

This method is much less involved than Gauss' Method and only four of the six Keplerian elements can be found. The eccentricity is assumed to be near zero and therefore the argument of perigee is undefined. Assuming a circular orbit, the eccentricity and argument of perigee are not as important as the orbit radius (or the orbit period), inclination, right ascension of the ascending node (RAAN) and mean anomaly when determining the orbit.

This method might be useful for educators who wish to demonstrate and/or introduce initial orbit determination without the complexity of Gauss' Method, which relies heavily on 8th order equation root solving and matrix/vector algebra.