Abstract
The GRACE (gravity recovery and climate experiment) satellites, launched in March 2002, are each equipped with a BlackJack GPS onboard receiver for precise orbit determination and gravity field recovery. Since launch, there have been significant improvements in the background force models used for satellite orbit determination, most notably the model for the geopotential. This has resulted in significant improvements to orbit accuracy for very low altitude satellites. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how well the orbits of the GRACE satellites (about 470 km in altitude) can currently be determined using only GPS data and based on the current models and methods. The orbit accuracy is assessed using a number of tests, which include analysis of orbit fits, orbit overlaps, orbit connecting points, satellite Laser ranging residuals and K-band ranging (KBR) residuals. We show that 1-cm radial orbit accuracy for the GRACE satellites has probably been achieved. These precise GRACE orbits can be used for such purposes as improving gravity recovery from the GRACE KBR data and for atmospheric profiling, and they demonstrate the quality of the background force models being used.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Altamimi Z, Sillard P, Boucher C (2002) ITRF2000: a new release of the International Terrestrial Reference Frame for Earth science applications, J Geophys Res 107(B10):2114. Doi:10.1029/ 2001JB000561
Barlier F, Berger C, Falin J, Kockarts G, Thuillier G (1978) Atmospheric model based on satellite drag data. Ann Geophy 34:9–24
Boomkamp H, Koenig R (2005) Bigger, better, faster POD. In: 2004 Berne workshop and symposium, Astronomical Institute, University of Berne
Beutler G, Rothacher M, Schaer S, Springer TA, Kouba J, Neilan RE (1999) The international GPS service (IGS): an interdisciplinary service in support of earth sciences. Adv Space Res 23:631–635
Bertiger W, Bar-Sever Y, Bettadpur B, Desai S, Dunn C, Haines B, Kruizinga G, Kuna D, Nandi S, Romans L, Watkins M, Wu S (2002) GRACE millimeters and microns in orbit. In: Proceedings of ION GPS 2002, Portland
Case K, Kruizinga GLH, Wu SC (2004) GRACE level 1B data product user handbook, JPL D-22027, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, http://podaac.jpl.nasa.gov/grace/documentation.html
Choi KR, Ries JC, Tapley BD (2004) JASON-1 precision orbit determination by combining SLR and DORIS with GPS tracking data. Mar Geod 27(1–2):319–331
Davis G, Ries J, Tapley B (1997) The accuracy assessment of precise orbits computed from Doppler tracking data. J Astronaut Sci 45(4):451–469
Dunn C, Bertiger W, Bar-Sever Y, Desai S, Haines B, Kuang D, Franklin G, Harris I, Kruizinga G, Meehan T, Nandi S, Nguyen D, Rogstad T, Thomas JB, Tien J, Romans L, Watkins M, Wu SC, Bettadpur S, Kim JR (2003) Instrument of GRACE: GPS augments gravity measurements. GPS World 14:16–28
Ferland R (2001) ITRF coordinator report. 2000 IGS annual report. IGS Central Bureau. Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, pp 24–28
Flechtner F (2003) AOD1B product description document, GRACE 327–750, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena http://podaac.jpl. nasa.gov/grace/documentation.html
Gambis D (2004) Monitoring Earth orientation using space-geodetic techniques: state-of-the-art and prospective. J Geod 78:295–303
Han S (2004) Efficient determination of global gravity field from satellite-to-satellite tracking mission. Celest Mech Dyn Astron 88(1):69–102
Kang Z (1998) Praezise Bahnbestimmung niedrigfliegender Satelliten mittels GPS und die Nutzung fuer die global chwerefeldmodellirung, Scientific Technical Report STR98/25, GeoForschungZentrum, Potsdam
Kang Z, Tapley B, Bettadpur S, Rim H, Nagel P (2002) Precise orbit determination for CHAMP using accelerometer data. Adv Astronautical Science, 112:1405–1410
Kang Z, Nagel P, Pastor R (2003) Precise orbit determination for GRACE, Adv Space Res 31:1875–1881
Knocke PJ, Ries J, Tapley B (1988) Earth radiation pressure effects on satellites. In: Proceedings of the AIAA/AAS astrodynamics conference, Washington, pp 577–587
Kuang D, Bar-Sever Y, Bertiger W, Desai S, Haines B, Iijima B, Kruizinga G, Meehan T, Romans L (2001) Precision orbit determination for CHAMP using GPS data from BlackJack receiver. In: Proceeding of the ION national technical meeting 2001, Long Beach, January
Kouba J (2003) A guide using International GPS products, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena. http://igscb.jpl. nasa.gov/igscb/resource/pubs/GuidetoUsingIGSProducts.pdf
Le Provost C (2002) FES2002—a new version of the FES tide solution series. In: Abstract volume, Jason-1 science working team meeting, Biarritz
McCarthy D, Petit G (2004) IERS conventions 2003. IERS Technical Note No. 32, Observetoire du Paris
McCarthy D (1996) IERS conventions 1996. IERS Technical Note No. 21, Observetoire du Paris
Pearlman MR, Degnan JJ, Bosworth JM (2002) The international laser ranging service. Adv Space Res 30(2):135–143
Rim H (1992) TOPEX Orbit Determination using GPS tracking system. PhD Dissertation, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin
Rim H, Schutz B, Abusali PAM, Tapley B (1995) Effect of GPS orbit accuracy on GPS-determined TOPEX/Poseidon Orbit. In: Proceedings of ION GPS-95, Palm Springs, 12–15 September
Švehla D, Rothacher M (2005) Kinematic positioning of LEO and GPS satellites and IGS stations on the ground. Adv Space Res 36:376–381
Tapley B, Ries J, Davis G, Eanes R, Schutz B, Shum CK, Watkins M, Marshall J, Nerem RS, Putney B, Klosko S, Luthcke S, Pavlis D, Williamson R, Zelensky N (1994) Precision orbit determination for TOPEX/Poseidon. J Geophys Res 99(C12):24383–24404
Tapley B, Bettadpur S, Watkins M, Reigber C (2004) The gravity recovery and climate experiment: mission overview and early results. Geophys Res Lett 31(9): L09607. Doi 10.1029/2004GL019920
Tapley B, Ries J, Bettapur S, Chambers D, Cheng M, Condi F, Guenter B, Kang Z, Nagel P, Pastor R, Pekker T, Poole S, Wang F (2005) GGM02—An improved Earth gravity field model from GRACE. J Geod 79:467–478
Wells D (1974) Doppler satellite control. Doctoral dissertation, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton
Wickert J, Beyerle G, Koenig R, Heise S, Grunwaldt L., Michala G, Reigber C, Schmidt T (2005) GPS radio occultation with CHAMP and GRACE: a first look at a new and promising satellite configuration for global atmospheric sounding. Ann Geophys 23(3):653–658
Wu S, Yunck T, Thornton C (1991) Reduced-dynamic technique for precise orbit determination of low earth satellites. J Guidance Control Dynam 14(1):24–30
Zhu S, Reigber C, Koenig R (2004) Integrated adjustment of CHAMP, GRACE and GPS data. J Geod 78(1–2):103–108
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kang, Z., Tapley, B., Bettadpur, S. et al. Precise orbit determination for the GRACE mission using only GPS data. J Geodesy 80, 322–331 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00190-006-0073-5
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00190-006-0073-5