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Determination of the geocentric gravitational constant from laser ranging on near‐Earth satellites
Author(s) -
Lerch Francis J.,
Laubscher Roy E.,
Klosko Steven M.,
Smith David E.,
Kolenkiewicz Ronald,
Putney Barbara H.,
Marsh James G.,
Brownd Joseph E.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl005i012p01031
Subject(s) - laser ranging , satellite laser ranging , geodesy , physics , gravitational constant , ranging , range (aeronautics) , laser , gravitation , astrophysics , optics , astronomy , geology , materials science , composite material
Laser range observations taken on the near‐earth satellites of Lageos (a = 1.92 e.r.), Starlette (a = 1.15 e.r.), BE‐C (a = 1.18 e.r.) and Geos ‐3 (a = 1.13 e.r.), have been combined to determine an improved value of the geocentric gravitational constant (GM). The value of GM is 398600.61 km³/sec², based upon a speed of light, c, of 299792.5 km/sec. Using the IAG adopted value of c equalling 299792.458 km/sec scales GM to 398600.44 km³/sec². The uncertainty in this value is assessed to be ± .02 km³/sec². Determinations of GM from the data taken on these four satellites individually show variations of only .04 km³/sec² from the combined result. The Lageos information dominated the combined solution, and gave the most consistent results in its data subset solutions. The value obtained for GM from near‐earth laser ranging compares quite favorably with the most recent results of the lunar laser and interplanetary experiments.