Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Oct 1994
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1994jansc..42..487j&link_type=abstract
Journal of the Astronautical Sciences (ISSN 0021-9142), vol. 42, no. 4, p. 487-500
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Extraterrestrial Environments, Gravitation, Gravitational Fields, Interplanetary Flight, Planetary Gravitation, Planets, Venus (Planet), Mathematical Models, Optimization, Parameter Identification
Scientific paper
The objective of this research was to improve the accuracy of the latest gravity field of Venus, labeled VGM6A, through the use of ridge-type estimation methods. These advanced parameter estimation techniques were applied to the calculation of GM and a (21 x 21) field of harmonic coefficients which represent the gravitational potential of Venus. Data used in this analysis, which were supplied by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, were derived from Pioneer Venus Orbiter and Magellan (mapping cycles 1 and 2) tracking measurements. Calculation of the gravity field coefficients involves solving a large, ill-conditioned system of linear equations, whose solution leads to erroneous estimates if not augmented by appropriate a priori information. In calculating VGM6A, Kaula's Rule was used as a basis to determine the a priori covariance used in the solution process. This study involved the use of ridge-type estimation methods to optimally weight the a priori covariance established by Kaula's Rule in order to obtain more accurate estimates. The computed gravity field, denoted AUVGM6, was compared to VGM6A on the basis of total variance of the solution, residual sum of squares, and condition number of the normal matrix. The candidate gravity field was validated by the calculation of the Doppler residuals. Analysis of the results show that through the use of ridge-type estimation methods, AUVGM6 provides more accurate gravity field coefficients than does VGM6A.
Cicci David A.
Johnson Mary K.
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