Research in Geodesy Based Upon Radio Interferometric Observations of GPS (Global Positioning System) Satellites.

Abstract

MIT explored and extended the capabilities of the new technique of geodesy by radio interferometry using signals from the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites. Accuracy in the determination of long relative-position, or 'baseline', vectors between fixed points on the earth was improved by the use of doubly differenced, dual frequency (LI and L2 band). Carrier phase observations, and by determining the orbits of the satellites from observations at widely spaced sites whose relative positions were well known a priori from quasar observations. Accuracy of about 1 part in 10 million of the length of a long baseline, and 1 millimeter for a short baseline, was achieved. Keywords: Geodetic survey; Geodetic control; VLBI (Very Long Baseline Interferometry); Satellite geodesy; Satellite tracking; Satellite orbits; Orbit determination.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 31, 1986
Accession Number
ADA184040

Entities

People

  • Charles C. Counselman Iii

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Accuracy
  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Contracts
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Earth Sciences
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Frequency
  • Frequency Bands
  • Geodesy
  • Geophysics
  • Global Positioning Systems
  • Interferometers
  • Interferometry
  • Observatories
  • Radio Interferometry

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Technology.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris