The Laser Ranging Interferometer onboard the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On satellites is the first laser interferometer in space measuring satellite-to-satellite distance variations. One of its main noise sources at low frequencies is the so-called tilt-to-length coupling, caused by satellite pointing variations. This error is estimated by fitting a linear coupling model, making use of the so-called center-of-mass calibration maneuvers. These maneuvers are performed regularly for the original purpose of center-of-mass determination. Here, the results of the tilt-to-length estimations for the Laser Ranging Interferometer are presented in terms of coupling factors, which are all within 200    μ m rad −1 and thus meet the requirements. From these parameters, estimations of nadir and cross-track components of the spacecraft center-of-mass positions with respect to the interferometer reference point are derived, providing an additional method to track center-of-mass movement over time.


    Access

    Download


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Tilt-to-Length Coupling in the GRACE Follow-On Laser Ranging Interferometer


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2020-11-01




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English







    GRACE-Follow On Laser Ranging Interferometer: German contribution

    Abich, Klaus / Bogan, Christina / Braxmaier, Claus et al. | Tema Archive | 2015