Abstract The precise positioning of a lander is a key issue during in situ planetary exploration. This paper proposes an optimal weighting algorithm based on a Helmert-variance component estimation applied to VLBI phase delay data. We validated our algorithm on Chang’e 3 lander VLBI phase delay from the Chinese VLBI Network. We consider that the lander positioning accuracy achieved with our new algorithm is at least 53 % better, compared to previous estimations based on the same observations. The position of the lander based on continuous 4-day observations was estimated to be 44.1215 ° N ( ± 21.9 m), −19.5135 ° E ( ± 4.2 m) and −2632.7 m ( ± 18.9 m) with respect to a moon reference system. This result agrees well with the position derived from images taken by the Narrow Angle Camera on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.


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    Title :

    Precise positioning of Chang’e 3 lander based on Helmert-VCE-aided weighting method using phase delay data from Chinese VLBI Network


    Contributors:
    Liu, Shanhong (author) / Yan, Jianguo (author) / He, Qingbao (author) / Cao, Jianfeng (author) / Ye, Mao (author) / Barriot, Jean-Pierre (author)

    Published in:

    Advances in Space Research ; 66 , 6 ; 1485-1494


    Publication date :

    2020-05-24


    Size :

    10 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




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