ON THE ACCURACY OF SPHERICAL HARMONICS AND ORBITAL PREDICTIONS.
Abstract
The needed formulas for the gravity potential are derived and the standard error of the obtained coefficients of spherical harmonics are handled. Satellite orbits are influenced by the irregularities of the earth's gravity field, which are usually expressed in terms of a development in spherical harmonics. Thus we must know the gravity field, i. e., the coefficients of this development, for precise prediction of satellite orbits. These spherical harmonics coefficients can be determined either from the analysis of known satellite orbits or from gravity measurements at the surface of the earth. The accuracy of the orbital elements of the satellites, computed from gravity anomalies, the determination of the gravimetric constant G M, and the position of the tracking stations are handled in this paper. If the gaps of the gravity anomalies in the oceans at the continents can be filled, the gravimetric method can help the satellite geodesist in many respects. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0605659
Entities
People
- Helmut Moritz
Organizations
- Ohio State University