A Two-Quartic Refractivity Profile for the Troposphere, for Correcting Satellite Data

Abstract

A new model of the height profile of tropospheric refractivity is presented as the basis for an improved tropospheric correction for satellite doppler or range data. The model treats the 'dry' and 'wet' components of the refractivity 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 shown by figures that give two different kinds of observed data: doppler residuals for several satellite passes, and the navigation error in station-to-orbit slant range. In each case the data are given without and with the correction. The use of the correction removed obvious systematic errors.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1968
Accession Number
AD0846289

Entities

People

  • H. S. Hopfield

Organizations

  • Johns Hopkins University

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Doppler Effect
  • Equations
  • Geometry
  • Government Procurement
  • Governments
  • High Angles
  • Integrals
  • Lapse Rate
  • Low Angles
  • Physics
  • Physics Laboratories
  • Refractive Index
  • Slant Range
  • Surface Properties
  • Tracking Stations
  • United States

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Approximation Theory.
  • Radar Systems Engineering.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space