Maneuver reconstructions for the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) A and B lunar orbiters were improved through updates to the orbit determination filter and dynamic models. Consistent reconstructions of the 27 GRAIL A and B maneuvers from the Trans-Lunar Cruise phase in the fall of 2011 through the Transition to Science Formation phase in February 2012 were performed. Standard methods of orbit determination were applied incorporating the latest dynamic models and filter strategies developed by the GRAIL Navigation and Science Teams, including a high resolution, 420 x 420 degree and order lunar spherical harmonic gravity field model. For Trans-Lunar Cruise for GRAIL-A (TLC-A), all maneuvers executed with delta V errors below 5.50 +/- 0.50 mm/s and pointing errors below 0.25 degrees. GRAIL-A lunar orbit maneuvers had delta V errors below 30.0 mm/s and pointing errors below 0.51 degrees. For TLC-B, all maneuvers executed with delta V errors below 8.60 +/- 1.41 mm/s and pointing errors below 0.300 degrees. GRAIL-B maneuvers in lunar orbit executed with maximum delta V errors of 25.0 mm/s and pointing error of 0.43 degrees. These maneuver reconstructions will enable the GRAIL Navigation Team to better characterize the main engine performance of each spacecraft. This will help the Navigation Team to navigate low (greater than 8 km) altitude orbits during the extended mission phase in the fall of 2012.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Improved Maneuver Reconstructions for the GRAIL Orbiters


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2012-09-20


    Type of media :

    Miscellaneous


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Improved Precision Orbit Determination of Lunar Orbiters From the GRAIL-Derived Lunar Gravity Models (AAS 13-274)

    Mazarico, E. / Lemoine, F.G. / Goossens, S.J. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2013



    Orbiters for science

    Harland, David M. | Springer Verlag | 2009


    The first Mars orbiters

    Forney, R. G. / Haynes, N. R. / Laeser, R. P. et al. | NTRS | 1970