Orbit determination and gravity field recovery from Doppler tracking data to the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maier, Andrea; Baur, Oliver
• Is Part Of: Planetary and space science. Volume 122(2016)
• Page Start: 94
• Page End: 100
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: Precise orbit determination -- Lunar gravity field -- Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter; Space sciences -- Periodicals; Atmosphere, Upper -- Periodicals; Sciences spatiales -- Périodiques; Haute atmosphère -- Périodiques; 523
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pss.2016.01.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-0633

Abstract

Abstract: We present results for Precise Orbit Determination (POD) of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) based on two-way Doppler range-rates over a time span of ~13 months (January 3, 2011 to February 9, 2012). Different orbital arc lengths and various sets of empirical parameters were tested to seek optimal parametrization. An overlap analysis covering three months of Doppler data shows that the most precise orbits are obtained using an arc length of 2.5 days and estimating arc-wise constant empirical accelerations in along track direction. The overlap analysis over the entire investigated time span of 13 months indicates an orbital precision of 13.79 m, 14.17 m, and 1.28 m in along track, cross track, and radial direction, respectively, with 21.32 m in total position. We compare our orbits to the official science orbits released by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The differences amount to 9.50 m, 6.98 m, and 1.50 m in along track, cross track, and radial direction, respectively, as well as 12.71 m in total position. Based on the reconstructed LRO orbits, we estimated lunar gravity field coefficients up to spherical harmonic degree and order 60. The results are compared to gravity field solutions derived from data collected by other lunar missions. Abstract : Highlights: Available ground-based tracking data to LRO are discussed. Precise orbit determination of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has been conducted. A lunar gravity field based on Doppler range-rates to LRO is presented.