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Tracking strategies for laser ranging to multiple satellite targetsBy the middle of the decade, several new Laser Geodynamic Satellites will be launched to join the current constellation comprised of the laser geodynamic satellite (LAGEOS) (US), Starlette (France), Ajisai (Japan), and Etalon I and II (USSR). The satellites to be launched, LAGEOS II and III (US & Italy), and Stella (France), will be injected into orbits that differ from the existing constellation so that geodetic and gravimetric quantities are sampled to enhance their resolution and accuracy. An examination of various possible tracking strategies adopted by the network of laser tracking stations has revealed that the recovery of precise geodetic parameters can be obtained over shorter intervals than is currently obtainable with the present constellation of satellites. This is particularly important in the planning of mobile laser tracking operations, given a network of permanently operating tracking sites. Through simulations, it is shown that laser tracking of certain satellite passes, pre-selected to provide optimal sky-coverage, provides the means to acquire a sufficient amount of data to allow the recovery of 1 cm station positions.
Document ID
19950029909
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Robbins, J. W.
(Hughes STX Corporation Lanham, MD, US, United States)
Smith, D. E.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, US, United States)
Kolenkiewicz, R.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, US, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: Satellite Orbits; Technical Panel on Satellite Dynamics (Meeting P1) of the COSPAR Plenary Meeting, 29th, Washington, DC, August 28-September 5, 1992 . A95-61505
Volume: 14
Issue: 5
ISSN: 0273-1177
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
95A61508
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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