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A demonstration of unified TDRS/GPS tracking and orbit determinationWe describe results from an experiment in which TDRS and GPS satellites were tracked simultaneously from a small (3 station) ground network in the western United States. We refer to this technique as 'GPS-like tracking' (GLT) since the user satellite - in this case TDRS - is essentially treated as a participant in the GPS constellation. In the experiment, the TDRS K(sub space-to-ground link (SGL) was tracked together with GPS L-band signals in enhanced geodetic-quality GPS receivers (TurboRogue). The enhanced receivers simultaneously measured and recorded both the TDRS SGL and the GPS carrier phases with sub-mm precision, enabling subsequent precise TDRS orbit determination with differential GPS techniques. A small number of calibrated ranging points from routine operations at the TDRS ground station (White Sands, NM) were used to supplement the GLT measurements in order to improve determination of the TDRS longitude. Various tests performed on TDRS ephemerides derived from data collected during this demonstration - including comparisons with the operational precise orbit generated by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center - provide evidence that the TDRS orbits have been determined to better than 25 m with the GLT technique.
Document ID
19950021371
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Haines, B.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Lichten, S.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Srinivasan, J.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Young, L.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 1995
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Goddard Space Flight Center, Flight Mechanics(Estimation Theory Symposium 1995
Subject Category
Astrodynamics
Accession Number
95N27792
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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