1. GPS tracking of TOPEX/POSEIDON: Results and implications
- Author
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Bertiger, W. I, Bar-Sever, Y. E, Christensen, E. J, Davis, E. S, Guinn, J. R, Haines, B. J, Ibanez-Meier, R. W, Jee, J. R, Lichten, S. M, and Melbourne, W. G
- Subjects
Spacecraft Instrumentation - Abstract
A reduced dynamic filtering strategy that exploits the unique geometric strength of the Global Positioning System (GPS) to minimize the effects of force model errors has yielded orbit solutions for TOPEX/POSEIDON which appear accurate to better than 3 cm (1 sigma) in the radial component. Reduction of model error also reduces the geographic correlation of the orbit error. With a traditional dynamic approach, GPS yields radial orbit accuracies of 4-5 cm, comparable to the accuracy delivered by satellite laser ranging and the Doppler orbitography and radio positioning integrated by satellite (DORIS) tracking system. A portion of the dynamic orbit error is in the Joint Gravity Model-2 (JGM-2); GPS data from TOPEX/POSEIDON can readily reveal that error and have been used to improve the gravity model.
- Published
- 1994
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