Statistics – Applications
Scientific paper
Nov 1970
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1970saosr.329.....w&link_type=abstract
SAO Special Report #329 (1970)
Statistics
Applications
1
Scientific paper
In this report, we suggest that a compact solid uranium sphere equipped with a laser retroreflector array should be launched as the first satellite dedicated to the NASA Earth-Physics Program. This is not a multipurpose satellite. To the contrary, it has been deliberately optimized for a single basic function: to provide an orbiting bench mark of maximum accuracy. The suggested orbit is i = 55°, e = 0.01, perigee = 3620 km, and apogee = 3820 km. This choice is the best compromise within the capability of the Saturn IB launch vehicle for attaining both visibility from all parts of the globe and highest possible accuracy of the computed orbits. With the satellite-tracking lasers now in use and with current geopotential models, the proposed satellite will make it possible to determine positions of ground stations in geocentric coordinates and in any geographic location to an accuracy of 1 m. With improvements in the accuracy of geopotential models and with improved lasers, this same satellite will allow position accuracies of better than 10 cm to be attained. This massive satellite has no active elements. It will be made of simple, very stable materials. Thus, it should provide homogeneous sets of data of the greatest possible accuracy for decades. The suggested satellite was specifically designed to satisfy a fundamental requirement of the Earth-Physics Program. However, since it will provide geocentric positions to higher accuracies than available by any other means, it will clearly be useful in many other applications, such as locating ground tracking stations and VLBI terminals. The fabrication of the satellite poses no extraordinary problems. Machining tolerances are modest, and the cube-corner specifications are well within the state of the art. One can be quite confident of meeting the requirement that the satellite per se should not introduce a range error in excess of 5 mm.
Hoffman Thomas E.
Weiffenbach G. C.
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