Computer Science
Scientific paper
Apr 1997
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1997jgcd...20..246t&link_type=abstract
J. Guid. Control Dyn., Vol. 20, No. 2, p. 246 - 252
Computer Science
Geopotential: Space Missions
Scientific paper
Simplified calculations can approximate the formal uncertainties in estimates of the spherical harmonic coefficients representing the Earth's gravitational potential. The calculations model the Earth locally as a plane, producing errors negligible for wavelengths shorter than the radius of the Earth. Information derived from observations of low altitude polar orbiting satellites is considered. With some constraints, the final model uncertainties derive from a priori gravitational field information, specific orbital elements, and parameters describing instrumentation characteristics. The author demonstrates how to refine the technique to accept inputs from the currently operational Navstar Global Positioning System (GPS) constellation and how to use information from partial tensor gravitational gradiometers. This approach is beneficial when evaluating prospective satellite geodesy missions because the covariance analyses for various mission scenarios can be made efficiently and expeditiously. The author demonstrates the utility of the flat Earth approach by comparing results with those of more elaborate and time consuming calculations performed for the European Space Agency ARISTOTELES proposed geopotential mapping mission, the NASA Gravity Probe B Relativity mission, and the NASA/Center National d'Etudes Spatiales Topographic Ocean Experiment Satellite (TOPEX)/Poseidon mission.
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