Accuracy of Computed Orbits of GEOS-3 Satellite,

Abstract

Twenty-two days of Doppler observations of the GEOS-3 satellite from 37 stations were used to optimize the description of the earth's gravity field for use in computing the GEOS-3 orbit. The improved gravity field with permit the determination of the satellite altitude to an accuracy of 2m. Comparison of altimeter measurements on intersecting tracks will permit reduction of this bias to below 70 cm, corresponding to the precision of the altimeter. Uncertainties in vertical velocity of the spacecraft will rarely contribute an error of more than .02 in. to the measurements of deflection of the vertical at sea, which is trivial compared to the accuracy of the altimeter. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1976
Accession Number
ADA046259

Entities

People

  • L. K. Beuglass
  • M. G. Tanenbaum
  • R. J. Anderle

Organizations

  • Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Altimeters
  • Altitude
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Elevation
  • Mathematical Models
  • Measurement
  • Navigation
  • Navigation Satellites
  • Orbits
  • Radiation
  • Radiation Pressure
  • Satellite Orbits
  • Sea Level
  • Solar Radiation

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Ocean-Atmosphere Mesoscale Modeling, Data Assimilation, and Flux Boundary Layers
  • Regression Analysis.
  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris