Pole Position for 1971 Based on Doppler Satellite Observation.

Abstract

The instantaneous position of the earth's spin axis with respect to the crust has been computed daily since 1969 on the basis of Doppler satellite observations. Improved sets of observing station coordinates and gravity field coefficients obtained in 1970 were used through 1971 yielding pole positions with a standard error of about 0.5 meters for the mean of five days of data. However, for some time periods, a bias of about 0.5 meters also exists between the Doppler pole positions and positions reported by the Bureau International de L'Heure (BIH) based on astronomical data. Spot checks of latitude residuals and pole positions based on recomputed satellite orbits for 1968 and 1969 yielded results consistent with recent data, indicating significant compensation of station coordinate errors by changes in orbit constants. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1972
Accession Number
AD0742805

Entities

People

  • Richard J. Anderle

Organizations

  • Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Coefficients
  • Compensation
  • Grids
  • Grids (Coordinates)
  • Latitude
  • Longitude
  • Observation
  • Orbits
  • Residuals
  • Satellite Orbits
  • Spacecraft
  • Standards

Readers

  • Geodesy
  • Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Technology.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris