We 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.
Demonstration of Unified TDRS/GPS Tracking and Orbit Determination
1995
12 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch
Astronautics , Spacecraft Trajectories & Flight Mechanics , Covariance , Global positioning system , Ground stations , Navigation technology satellites , Orbit calculation , Orbital position estimation , Satellite tracking , Satellite-borne radar , Tdr satellites , Calibrating , Ephemerides , Error analysis , Longitude , Mathematical models , Parameter identification , Radar receivers , Random noise , Ultrahigh frequencies
A Demonstration of Unified TDRS/GPS Tracking and Orbit Determination
British Library Conference Proceedings | 1995
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