Quality of reprocessed GPS Satellite Orbits

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Peter Steigenberger - , Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - German Research Centre for Geosciences (Author)
  • Markus Rothacher - , Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - German Research Centre for Geosciences (Author)
  • Mathias Fritsche - , Chair of Geodetic Earth System Research (Author)
  • Axel Rülke - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Reinhard Dietrich - , Chair of Geodetic Earth System Research (Author)

Abstract

High-precision Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite orbits are one of the core products of the International GNSS Service (IGS). Since the establishment of the IGS in 1994, the quality and consistency of the IGS orbits has steadily been improved by advances in the modeling of GPS observations. However, due to these model improvements and reference frame changes, the time series of operational orbits are inhomogeneous and inconsistent. This problem can only be overcome by a complete reprocessing starting with the raw observation data. The quality of reprocessed GPS satellite orbits for the time period 1994–2005 will be assessed in this paper. Orbit fits show that the internal consistency of the orbits could be improved by a factor of about two in the early years. Comparisons with the operational IGS orbits show clear discontinuities whenever the reference frame was changed by the IGS. The independent validation with Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) residuals shows an improvement of up to 30% whereas a systematic bias of 5 cm still persists.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)241-248
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Geodesy
Volume2009
Issue number83
Publication statusPublished - 2009
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 61349170758

Keywords

DFG Classification of Subject Areas according to Review Boards

Keywords

  • gps satellite orbits