A TWO-QUARTIC REFRACTIVITY PROFILE FOR THE TROPOSPHERE, FOR CORRECTING SATELLITE DATA.

Abstract

A new model of the height profile of tropospheric refractivity N is presented as the basis for an improved tropospheric correction for satellite doppler or range data. (N = 1,000,000 (n-1), where n is the index of refraction.) The model treats the 'dry' and 'wet' components of N separately, each as a fourth-degree function of height above the geoid. The height parameters are different for the two and are obtained from meteorological balloon data. A latitude dependence has been found for the 'dry' height. The resulting expressions for the correction of satellite doppler and range data are presented, and their effectiveness is evidenced by figures showing two different kinds of observed data: first, doppler residuals for several satellite passes; and second, the 'navigation' error in station-to-orbit slant range, in each case without and with the correction. The use of the correction removed obvious systematic errors. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1968
Accession Number
AD0685217

Entities

People

  • H. S. Hopfield

Organizations

  • Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Balloons
  • Grids
  • Latitude
  • Meteorological Balloons
  • Navigation
  • Refraction
  • Refractive Index
  • Residuals
  • Slant Range
  • Troposphere
  • Vehicles

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Geodesy
  • Geotechnical Engineering.
  • Radar Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Space