Department of Defense National Geodetic Satellite Program.

Abstract

A history of the use of satellites in geodesy within the Department of Defense is presented. A section on instrumentation describes the BC-4 and PC-1000 cameras, SECOR, laser, and Doppler satellite tracking equipment as well as the satellite flashing light system. The data used in several different solutions, the corrections applied and the preprocessing methods are described. In addition, the theory for satellite triangulation, trilateration, short arc and Doppler methods and the least squares collocation method for combining satellite derived and surface gravity data are discussed. Geodetic results are tabulated which include the coordinates of various tracking stations, the gravitational potential and the geoid. Other results discussed include evaluations of Love's number, solar radiation pressure, atmospheric drag variations, earth's rotational rate, pole positions and crustal motion.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1975
Accession Number
ADA008562

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Department Of Defense
  • Flight Instruments
  • Geodetic Satellites
  • Instrumentation
  • Measuring Instruments
  • Mechanical Equipment
  • Navigational Equipment
  • Radiation
  • Radiation Pressure
  • Solar Radiation
  • Tracking Stations
  • Triangulation

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Geodesy
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris