Engineering topics

Zelensky, N.

Publications and source records attributed to Zelensky, N..

5 records

NASA NTRS2011

Weekly Solutions of Time-Variable Gravity from 1993 to 2010

The GRACE mission has been highly successful in determining the time-variable gravity field of the Earth, producing monthly or even more frequent solutions (cf. 10-day) solutions using both spherical harmonics and mascons. However the GRACE time series only commences in 2002 - 2003 and a gap of several years may occur in the series before a GRACE follow-on satellite is launched. Satellites tracked by SLR and DORIS have also been used to study time variations in the Earth's gravitational field. These include (most recently) the solutions of Cox and Chao (2002), Cheng et al. (2004, 2007) and Lemoine et al. (2007). In this paper we discuss the development of a new time series of low degree spherical harmonic fields based on the available SLR, DORIS and GPS data. We develop simultaneous solutions for both the geocenter and the low degree harmonics up to 5x5. The solutions integrate data from SLR geodetic satellites (e.g., Lageos1, Lageos2, Starlette, Stella, Ajisai, Larets, Westpac), altimetry satellites (TOPEX/Poseidon, Envisat, Jason-1, Jason-2), and satellites tracked solely by DORIS (e.g. SPOT2-5). We discuss some pertinent aspects of the satellite-specific modeling. We include altimeter crossovers in the weekly solutions where feasible and time permits. The resulting geocenter time series is compared with geophysical model predictions and other independently-derived solutions. Over the GRACE time period the fidelity and consistency with the GRACE solutions are presented.

Lemoine, F.↗

NASA NTRS2011

Combined Weekly Coordinate Solutions from SLR and DORIS

In International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) 2005 and ITRF2008, the approach for the construction of solutions by the IERS has been for individual analysis centers of each technique to process geodetic tracking data, and for each technique to develop a solution (or contribution) that is integrated into the final ITRF solution by careful combination of the technique solutions. The connections between the geodetic networks are realized by the application of local ties. In an alternate approach, we may assure processing homogeneity by creating normal equations for different techniques with the same orbit determination software, using identically derived algorithms. Another derivative of this approach is to realize the ties between the techniques using satellites tracked with multiple techniques; in effect tieing the networks together using satellite dynamics. In this solution, we develop a time series and a set of cumulative solutions from Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) & Doppler Orbitography and Radio-positioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS) based on homogeneous processing with the NASA GEODYN precise orbit determination suite of programs, where we jointly combine weekly the SLR data to Lageos1, Lageos2, Starlette, and Stella with the DORIS data from SPOT2-SPOT5, as well as satellites that utilize both techniques (TOPEX/Poseidon, Envisat, Jason-2). We discuss the modeling that is applied including upgrades implemented since the submission of the GSC ITRF2008 contributions for IDS. Firstly, we compare the SLR-only solutions comprising four geodetic satellites with the standard approach of utilizing only Lageos1 & Lageos2. Secondly, we evaluate the impact on the DORIS coordinates of the joint analysis with the SLR data.

Lemoine, F.↗

NASA NTRS2006

The Relationship Between Global Mean Sea Level Rise and the Reference Frame

The Terrestrial Reference Frame is the fundamental means by which we relate observations in space and time. For example, in order to generate a homogeneous and consistent time series of geo-referenced altimeter measurements over the span of the Topex/Poseidon and Jason-1 missions, we must examine carefully the role of improvements in measurement modelling, force modelling, and improved reference frame realizations. In this paper, we quantify the effects of improvements in force modelling, for example the use of new GRACE-derived gravity models, the effect of time-variable gravity derived from GRACE on altimeter satellite orbits. In addition, we examine the effects of modelling geocenter in altimeteric satellite POD, and look at how the application of atmospheric loading might affect the time-series of precise orbits for Topex/Poseidon and Jason-1.

Lemoine, F.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Error analysis for earth orientation recovery from GPS data

The use of GPS navigation satellites to study earth-orientation parameters in real-time is examined analytically with simulations of network geometries. The Orbit Analysis covariance-analysis program is employed to simulate the block-II constellation of 18 GPS satellites, and attention is given to the budget for tracking errors. Simultaneous solutions are derived for earth orientation given specific satellite orbits, ground clocks, and station positions with tropospheric scaling at each station. Media effects and measurement noise are found to be the main causes of uncertainty in earth-orientation determination. A program similar to the Polaris network using single-difference carrier-phase observations can provide earth-orientation parameters with accuracies similar to those for the VLBI program. The GPS concept offers faster data turnaround and lower costs in addition to more accurate determinations of UT1 and pole position.

Zelensky, N.↗

NASA NTRS1988

VLBI tracking of the TDRS

The use of radio interferometry is being investigated by NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center as a means to track the TDRS geostationary satellites. This technique offers the advantages of very high accuracy using a ground network confined to the continental U.S. and minimal (or no) impact on spacecraft systems as the downlink transmissions can be used passively. A demonstration experiment was performed using very long baseline interferometry (VLBI). The TDRS-E was observed at S-band over a 28-hour definitive period together with dual X/S-band calibration observations of quasars. An orbit was determined for TDRS-E which agrees within estimated error bars with the orbit solution from NASA's operational tracking system but with about half the uncertainty. It was found that, for S-band tracking, the ionosphere is the largest source of orbit error. Use of Ku-band tracking instead would permit geostationary orbits accurate at the 10-m level.

Ray, J.↗