Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “LaGeOs”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 73 records · Page 4

Measuring the Lense-Thirring precession using a second Lageos satellite

A complete numerical simulation and error analysis was performed for the proposed experiment with the objective of establishing an accurate assessment of the feasibility and the potential accuracy of the measurement of the Lense-Thirring precession. Consideration was given to identifying the error sources which limit the accuracy of the experiment and proposing procedures for eliminating or reducing the effect of these errors. Analytic investigations were conducted to study the effects of major error sources with the objective of providing error bounds on the experiment. The analysis of realistic simulated data is used to demonstrate that satellite laser ranging of two Lageos satellites, orbiting with supplemental inclinations, collected for a period of 3 years or more, can be used to verify the Lense-Thirring precession. A comprehensive covariance analysis for the solution was also developed.

Tapley, B. D.↗

LAGEOS geodetic analysis-SL7.1

Laser ranging measurements to the LAGEOS satellite from 1976 through 1989 are related via geodetic and orbital theories to a variety of geodetic and geodynamic parameters. The SL7.1 analyses are explained of this data set including the estimation process for geodetic parameters such as Earth's gravitational constant (GM), those describing the Earth's elasticity properties (Love numbers), and the temporally varying geodetic parameters such as Earth's orientation (polar motion and Delta UT1) and tracking site horizontal tectonic motions. Descriptions of the reference systems, tectonic models, and adopted geodetic constants are provided; these are the framework within which the SL7.1 solution takes place. Estimates of temporal variations in non-conservative force parameters are included in these SL7.1 analyses as well as parameters describing the orbital states at monthly epochs. This information is useful in further refining models used to describe close-Earth satellite behavior. Estimates of intersite motions and individual tracking site motions computed through the network adjustment scheme are given. Tabulations of tracking site eccentricities, data summaries, estimated monthly orbital and force model parameters, polar motion, Earth rotation, and tracking station coordinate results are also provided.

Smith, D. E.↗

Diurnal and semidiurnal variations in Earth orientation determined from LAGEOS laser ranging

Variations in universal time and polar motion due to ocean tides at nearly diurnal and nearly semidiurnal frequencies are determined from analysis of laser ranging to the LAGEOS satellite over the period from 1987 to 1992. The adjusted diurnal tides were K(sub 1), S(sub 1), P(sub 1), O(sub 1), and Q(sub 1), while the semidiurnal tides were K(sub 2), S(sub 2), M(sub 2), and N(sub 2). A formulation was used that explicitly separated prograde and retrograde terms in the polar motion in order to eliminate aliasing from the singularity of retrograde wobble with long period orbit error and nutation. The results are compared to other experimentally derived observations from very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) and with predictions from an ocean tide model. The results of this study were well with those from the VLBI studies, typically at the 2-3 microsecond level in universal time and 30-50 microarc sec (muas) level in polar motion. The agreement with predictions from the ocean tide model were roughly a factor of 3 worse for UT although better for polar motion, particularly in the diurnal band.

Watkins, Michael M.↗

Materials Data on LaGeOs by Materials Project

LaOsGe is half-Heusler structured and crystallizes in the cubic F-43m space group. The structure is three-dimensional. La is bonded in a body-centered cubic geometry to four equivalent Os and four equivalent Ge atoms. All La–Os bond lengths are 2.92 Å. All La–Ge bond lengths are 2.92 Å. Os is bonded to four equivalent La atoms to form OsLa4 tetrahedra that share corners with four equivalent GeLa4 tetrahedra, corners with twelve equivalent OsLa4 tetrahedra, and edges with six equivalent GeLa4 tetrahedra. Ge is bonded to four equivalent La atoms to form GeLa4 tetrahedra that share corners with four equivalent OsLa4 tetrahedra, corners with twelve equivalent GeLa4 tetrahedra, and edges with six equivalent OsLa4 tetrahedra.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Lageos phase B technical report

Analysis and design of the LASER Aerodynamic Satellite was performed and the design integrated with the launch vehicle interfaces and launch operations. The satellite has a requirement to be compatible with techniques for ranging from earth to satellite to an accuracy of + or - sq cm. The results indicate the satellite design while maintaining low program cost, met the design and mission requirements. Trade studies and satellite design are documented along with thermal and optical tests.

Source record↗

Relativistic perturbations on the motion and tracking of the LAGEOS satellite

The modifications to Geodyn to substitute the Einstein gravitational theory for Newtonian gravitation are described. This results in modifications to both the satellite equations of motion and to the modeling of satellite tracking measurements. Since the Newtonian theory is a very close approximation to the Einstein theory (or general theory of relativity), observable deviations from Newtonian theory are small, and the applicable equations of motion or observation equations can be formulated so that they differ only by small terms which are denoted as relativistic perturbations. In the implementation of the Einstein theory in an orbital data reduction program, station coordinates and satellite coordinates which resemble the normal Cartesian coordinates are considered.

Martin, C. F.↗

A comparison between Lageos laser ranging and very long baseline interferometry determined baseline lengths

NASA's Crustal Dynamics Project (CDP) has the objective to improve the understanding of geodynamics by measuring crustal deformation, tectonic motion, and polar motion and earth rotation. Three different approaches are utilized for obtaining these measurements. One is based on satellite laser ranging (SLR), while another makes use of very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) which uses reception of radio signals from quasars. The third approach involves laser ranging to the moon. An important part of the CDP is to compare baselines periodically or the straight-line distance between two points on the earth's surface as determined by either SLR or VLBI. Attention is given to the SLR analysis, the VLBI analysis, a local survey, and error sources. A table is presented with the baselines between SLR survey markers as measured by VLBI and SLR.

Kolenkiewicz, R.↗

A GSFC alternative to the SLR MERIT constants

The use of the Lageos satellite to monitor the earth's orientation is examined. The derivations of long wavelength ocean tidal parameters, a geocentric gravitational constant of 398,600.436 cu km/ sq sec + or - 0.0001 cu km/sq sec, and Love numbers using Lageos laser ranging data are described. The uncertainties of the geopotential model, GEM-L2 of Lerch et al. (1982), are discussed. The calculation of polar motion using the Lageos constants is considered. The Lageos constants are tested by applying them to independent laser ranging data. It is determined that the new constants improve the rms of fit to independent Lageos data and improve the earth orientation parameters compared to VLBI data obtained during the IRIS project.

Christodoulidis, Demosthenes C.↗

Determination of polar motion and earth rotation from laser tracking of satellites

Laser tracking of the Lageos spacecraft has been used to derive the position of the earth's pole of rotation at intervals during October, November and December 1976. The estimated precision of the results is 0.01 to 0.02 arcseconds in both x and y components, although the formal uncertainty is an order of magnitude better, and there is general agreement with the Bureau International de l'Heure smoothed pole path to about 0.02 arcseconds. Present orbit determination capability of Lageos is limited to about 25 cm rms fit to data over periods of 5 days and about 50 cm over 50 days. The present major sources of error in the perturbations of Lageos are earth and ocean tides followed by the earth's gravity field, and solar and earth reflected radiation pressure. Ultimate accuracy for polar motion and earth rotation from Lageos after improved modeling of the perturbing forces appears to be of order + or - 5 cm for polar motion over a period of about one day and about + or - 0.2 to + or - 0.3 milliseconds in UT for periods up to 2 or 3 months.

Smith, D. E.↗

The application of Encke's method to long arc orbit determination solutions

The Laser Geodynamics Satellite (LAGEOS) was launched on May 4, 1976 to provide geophysical measurements by means of laser ranging techniques. To date, over twelve years of laser range measurements have been collected from various tracking stations located around the world. Laser range measurements to LAGEOS have contributed to studies of earth rotation, plate tectonics, global baseline, and the gravity field as well as many other areas. Some of these studies are based upon the determination of a single, continuous orbit for LAGEOS for time spans on the order of several years. Current studies at the University of Texas Center for Space Research include the precision orbit determination of LAGEOS for arc lengths of up to 12.8 years which represents over 31,000 orbital revolutions. These long arc studies have led to the implementation of Encke's method to improve the convergence of the batch filter while reducing numerical integration errors. While the technique has been successfully applied to arc lengths of up to 12.8 years, the results presented focus on the solution of a six-year arc.

Lundberg, J. B.↗

Laser ranging data analysis

Center for Space Research efforts have focused on the near real-time analysis of Lageos laser ranging data and on the production of predictive ephemerides. The data are analyzed in terms of range bias, time bias, and internal precision, and estimates for the Earth orientation parameters X(sub p), Y(sub p) and UT1 are obtained. The results of these analyses are reported in a variety of formats. In addition several additional stations began sending not only quick-look observations but also normal points created on-site with new software. These normal points are transmitted in a new standard format different from either current quick-look or MERIT-II full-rate formats. Thus new preprocessing software was written and successfully tested on these data. Inspection of the Bendix produced Lageos full-rate normal points continued, with detailed analyses and filtering of all 1991 A and B release normal points for Lageos through the beginning of 1992. A summary of the combined full-rate and quick-look normal point data set created for 1991 is provided. New long-term ephemerides for Lageos satellite, as well as for Etalon-1 and Etalon-2 (the so-called high satellites used for laser ranging) were produced and distributed to the network stations in cooperation with the Crustal Dynamics Project and Eurolas. These predictions are used by essentially every laser ranging site obtaining regular returns from any of these three satellites.

Source record↗

An active nutation damper for spacecraft

An active nutation damping device, consisting of an angular accelerometer, a dc motor driven flywheel, and associated electronics, was developed for spacecraft use. This damping system was used on the Lageos spacecraft, launched 4 May 1976, to control nutation buildup during the long coast period after the third stage separation. Of many electrical and mechanical design choices, an angular rather than linear accelerometer offered some advantages but problems developed in adapting the angular accelerometer to spacecraft use. The damper package was evaluated and proven on a three axis gas-bearing simulator that duplicated the Lageos spacecraft critical flight dynamics. A failure analysis of the damper assembly was performed. Performance of the damper during the Lageos flight has confirmed the preflight evaluation and analysis.

Abercrombie, R. A.↗

An active nutation damper for spacecraft

An active nutation damping device, consisting of an angular accelerometer, a dc-motor-driven flywheel, and associated electronics, developed for spacecraft use is described. This damping system was used on the LAGEOS spacecraft to control nutation buildup during the long coast period (approximately 75 minutes) after the third stage separation. The damper package was evaluated and proven on a three-axis gas-bearing simulator that duplicated the LAGEOS spacecraft critical flight dynamics. In addition, a failure analysis of the damper assembly was performed. Performance of the damper during the LAGEOS flight has confirmed the preflight evaluation and analysis.

Abercrombie, R. A.↗

A gravity model for crustal dynamics (GEM-L2)

The Laser Geodynamics Satellite (Lageos) was the first NASA satellite which was placed into orbit exclusively for laser ranging applications. Lageos was designed to permit extremely accurate measurements of the earth's rotation and the movement of the tectonic plates. The Goddard earth model, GEM-L2, was derived mainly on the basis of the precise laser ranging data taken on many satellites. Douglas et al. (1984) have demonstrated the utility of GEM-L2 in detecting the broadest ocean circulations. As Lageos data constitute the most extensive set of satellite laser observations ever collected, the incorporation of 2-1/2 years of these data into the Goddard earth models (GEM) has substantially advanced the geodynamical objectives. The present paper discusses the products of the GEM-L2 solution.

Lerch, F. J.↗