Gravity and Macro-Model Tuning for the Geosat Follow-on Spacecraft

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Gravity and Macro-Model Tuning for the Geosat Follow-on Spacecraft

Lemoine, Frank G. / Rowlands, David D. / Marr, Gregory C. / Zelensky, Nikita P. / Luthcke, Scott B. / Cox, Christopher M.

Abstract

The US Navy's GEOSAT Follow-On (GFO) spacecraft was launched on February 10, 1998 and the primary objective of the mission was to map the oceans using a radar altimeter. The spacecraft tracking complement consisted of GPS receivers, a laser retroreflector and Doppler beacons. Since the GPS receivers have not yet returned reliable data, the only means of providing high-quality precise orbits has been though satellite laser ranging (SLR). The spacecraft has been tracked by the international satellite laser ranging network since April 22, 1998, and an average of 7.4 passes per day have been obtained from US and participating foreign stations. Since the predicted radial orbit error due to the gravity field is two to three cm, the largest contributor to the high SLR residuals (7-10 cm RMS for five day arcs) is the mismodelling of the non-conservative forces, not withstanding the development of a three-dimensional eight-panel model and an analytical attitude model for the GFO spacecraft. The SLR residuals show a clear correlation with beta-prime (solar elevation) angle, peaking in mid-August 1998 when the beta-prime angle reached -80 to -90 degrees. In this paper we discuss the tuning of the non-conservative force model, for GFO and report the subsequent addition of the GFO tracking data to the Earth gravity model solutions.

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Document information

Title :

Gravity and Macro-Model Tuning for the Geosat Follow-on Spacecraft

Contributors:

Lemoine, Frank G. (author) / Rowlands, David D. (author) / Marr, Gregory C. (author) / Zelensky, Nikita P. (author) / Luthcke, Scott B. (author) / Cox, Christopher M. (author)

Conference:

International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics General Assembly ; 1999 ; Birmingham, United Kingdom

Publication date :

1999-07-19

Type of media :

Miscellaneous

Type of material :

No indication

Language :

English

Keywords :

Oceanography