Analysis of Multi-Satellite Tracking Data of the Kaguya Satellites for Orbit and Gravity Field Determination

Computer Science – Performance

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

[1221] Geodesy And Gravity / Lunar And Planetary Geodesy And Gravity, [1240] Geodesy And Gravity / Satellite Geodesy: Results, [5714] Planetary Sciences: Fluid Planets / Gravitational Fields, [6250] Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects / Moon

Scientific paper

The Kaguya spacecraft were launched from Tanegashima Space Center on September 14, 2007. Kaguya consists of three orbiters: a main orbiter in a low-altitude (100 km) circular polar orbit, and two sub-satellites (Rstar and Vstar) in elliptical orbits. The satellites were tracked by a variety of terrestrial based tracking systems: in addition to standard two-way Doppler and range tracking, there was 4-way Doppler tracking between Rstar and the main orbiter, providing the first tracking data of a satellite over the lunar far side, and there was same-beam differential VLBI tracking between the two sub-satellites, providing precise orbits for these satellites. The main orbiter was also equipped with a laser altimeter (LALT) to measure the topography of the Moon. At points where the ground tracks of different orbits intersect, these data can provide further constraints on the orbit of the main satellite in the form of crossovers, as essentially the same topography should be measured. This comprehensive data set between the satellites allows for a unique opportunity to evaluate the contribution of these tracking systems to orbit and gravity field determination. Precise orbits are important for geolocation of the topography and camera data, whereas the gravity field can be used for studies of the lunar interior. Here, we present the analysis of the combinations of these tracking data. The use of 4-way and same-beam differential VLBI data leads to large improvements in orbit precision of all satellites involved, where especially peaks in orbit overlap differences during edge-on periods are reduced. The use of the altimetry crossovers improves the orbit of the main satellite further, resulting in an orbit precision of in general less than 20 m. We have also used the full set of SELENE tracking data (including all 4-way and all S-band same-beam differential VLBI data), together with historical data, for gravity field determination. We show a lunar gravity field model with an improved orbit determination performance, especially for orbits over the deep far side. Finally, we use the improved gravity field model to investigate the determination of the lower degrees of the spherical harmonics expansion. These results thus show the benefits from having multiple spacecraft tracking for orbit and gravity field determination.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Analysis of Multi-Satellite Tracking Data of the Kaguya Satellites for Orbit and Gravity Field Determination does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Analysis of Multi-Satellite Tracking Data of the Kaguya Satellites for Orbit and Gravity Field Determination, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Analysis of Multi-Satellite Tracking Data of the Kaguya Satellites for Orbit and Gravity Field Determination will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1499959

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.