TY - GEN
T1 - The determination of time variable gravity from constellation of non-dedicated satellites
AU - Gunter, BC
AU - Ditmar, PG
AU - de Teixeira da Encarnacao, JG
N1 - NEO
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - This study will assess the feasibility of using a constellation of non-dedicated satellites to determine Earth's time-variable gravity field. Precise orbit data from the FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC satellite constellation will be processed and the results will be compared to theoretical predictions. Provided accurate knowledge of the satellite orbits through GPS positioning only, the constellation should be able to provide information about the large scale (> 1000 km), high frequency (< 1 month) variations in the gravity field. The concept would also provide current and future dedicated gravity field missions with valuable information at the low degrees, thereby improving the overall recovery of the full spectrum of time-variable gravity. This is valuable not only for Earth observation, but for topics in mission design and orbit determination.
AB - This study will assess the feasibility of using a constellation of non-dedicated satellites to determine Earth's time-variable gravity field. Precise orbit data from the FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC satellite constellation will be processed and the results will be compared to theoretical predictions. Provided accurate knowledge of the satellite orbits through GPS positioning only, the constellation should be able to provide information about the large scale (> 1000 km), high frequency (< 1 month) variations in the gravity field. The concept would also provide current and future dedicated gravity field missions with valuable information at the low degrees, thereby improving the overall recovery of the full spectrum of time-variable gravity. This is valuable not only for Earth observation, but for topics in mission design and orbit determination.
KW - Conf.proc. > 3 pag
UR - http://www.univelt.com/book=1349
M3 - Conference contribution
SP - 1999
EP - 2007
BT - AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Specialist Meeting
A2 - Rao, AV
A2 - Lovell, TA
A2 - Chan, FK
A2 - Cangahuala, LA
PB - American Astronautical Society
CY - Pittsburgh Pensylvania
T2 - AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Specialist Meeting
Y2 - 10 August 2009 through 13 August 2009
ER -