Gravity Probe B orbit determination. (17th November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shestople, P; Ndili, A; Hanuschak, G; Parkinson, B W; Small, H
• Is Part Of: Classical and quantum gravity. Volume 32:Number 22(2015:Nov.)
• Publication Date: 2015-11-17
• Subjects: Gravity Probe B -- GPS -- orbit determination; Quantum gravity -- Periodicals; Gravitation -- Periodicals; Relativity (Physics) -- Periodicals; Space and time -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 521.1
• DOI: 10.1088/0264-9381/32/22/224017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-9381

Abstract

Abstract: The Gravity Probe B (GP-B) satellite was equipped with a pair of redundant Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers used to provide navigation solutions for real-time and post-processed orbit determination (OD), as well as to establish the relation between vehicle time and coordinated universal time. The receivers performed better than the real-time position requirement of 100 m rms per axis. Post-processed solutions indicated an rms position error of 2.5 m and an rms velocity error of 2.2 mm s −1 . Satellite laser ranging measurements provided independent verification of the GPS-derived GP-B orbit. We discuss the modifications and performance of the Trimble Advance Navigation System Vector III GPS receivers. We describe the GP-B precision orbit and detail the OD methodology, including ephemeris errors and the laser ranging measurements.