Follow-on missions to provide continuity in the observation of the sea surface topography once the successful TOPEX/POSEIDON (T/P) oceanographic satellite mission has ended are discussed. Candidates include orbits which follow the ground tracks of T/P GEOSAT or ERS-1. The T/P precision ephemerides, estimated to be near 3 cm root-mean-square, demonstrate the radial orbit accuracy that can be achieved at 1300 km altitude. However, the radial orbit accuracy which can be achieved for a mission at the 800 km altitudes of GEOSAT and ERS-1 has not been established, and achieving an accuracy commensurate with T/P will pose a great challenge. This investigation focuses on the radial orbit accuracy that can be achieved for a mission in the GEOSAT orbit. Emphasis is given to characterizing the effects of force model errors on the estimated radial orbit accuracy, particularly those due to gravity and drag. The importance of global, continuous tracking of the satellite for reduction in these sources of orbit error is demonstrated with simulated GPS tracking data. A gravity tuning experiment is carried out to show how the effects of gravity error may be reduced. Assuming a GPS flight receiver with a full-sky tracking capability, the simulation results indicate that a 5 cm radial orbit accuracy for an altimeter satellite in GEOSAT orbit should be achievable during low-drag atmospheric conditions and after an acceptable tuning of the gravity model.
Tracking System Options for Future Altimeter Satellite Missions
1994
13 pages
Report
No indication
English
Spacecraft Trajectories & Flight Mechanics , Geosat satellites , Ocean data acquisitions systems , Tracking (Position) , Altimeters , Ephemerides , Global positioning system , Ground tracks , Ocean surface , Oceanography , Poseidon satellite , Topex , Topography , Meteorology , Receivers , Simulation , Tuning
Tracking System Options for Future Altimetric Satellite Missions
British Library Conference Proceedings | 1994
|New techniques in satellite altimeter tracking systems
Tema Archive | 1986
|Gravity field recovery from geodetic altimeter missions
Elsevier | 2019
|