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Time-delay test of general relativity and Earth-Mars ephemeris improvement from analysis of Mariner 9 tracking dataBecause of the large systematic errors that accompany the conversion of spacecraft ranging data to equivalent Earth-Mars time delays, the corresponding determination of gamma does not now allow the predictions of general relativity to be distinguished from those of the Brans-Dicke scalar-tensor theory with the fraction s of scalar field admixture being 0.06. The uncertainty in the determination of (1 plus gamma)/2 at the present stage of the Mariner 9 data analysis is at about the 10% level. The ephemeris of Mars suffers from the same problem: Only with the elimination of a major fraction of the systematic errors affecting the Mariner 9 pseudo observables will a truly substantial improvement be possible in the determination of the orbit.
Document ID
19730023980
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Other
Authors
Shapiro, I. I.
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Reasenberg, R. D.
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 7, 2013
Publication Date
July 15, 1973
Publication Information
Publication: JPL Mariner Mars 1971 Proj., Vol. 4
Subject Category
Space Sciences
Accession Number
73N32713
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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