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Dynamics of SLR tracked satellites
Author(s) -
Marshall J. A.,
Klosko S. M.,
Ries J. C.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
reviews of geophysics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 8.087
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1944-9208
pISSN - 8755-1209
DOI - 10.1029/95rg00294
Subject(s) - satellite laser ranging , satellite , geodesy , orbit (dynamics) , remote sensing , satellite tracking , orbit determination , laser ranging , earth observation , aerospace engineering , computer science , reference frame , earth's orbit , geology , physics , frame (networking) , telecommunications , spacecraft , laser , engineering , optics
This report summarizes recent progress in orbit determination and the role of Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) in advancing the state of its art. In the past four years, major improvements in our ability to position a near‐Earth SLR satellite within a well understood and stable geocentric frame have occurred. Key enabling factors are upgraded gravitational and non‐conservative force models and extensive advancement in tracking technologies. In combination, these capabilities allowed orbit analysts to reach their most ambitious goal, that of providing better than 4 cm RMS radial orbit knowledge in support of the joint USA/French TOPEX/POSEIDON Mission (T/P) (Fu et al., [1994]).