Validation of a corner reflector installation at Côte d'Azur multi-technique geodetic observatory. Issue 2 (15th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Collilieux, Xavier; Courde, Clément; Fruneau, Bénédicte; Aimar, Mourad; Schmidt, Guillaume; Delprat, Isabelle; Defresne, Marie-Amélie; Pesce, Damien; Bergerault, Fabien; Wöppelmann, Guy
• Is Part Of: Advances in space research. Volume 70:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 360
• Page End: 370
• Publication Date: 2022-07-15
• Subjects: Corner reflector – GGOS fundamental station -- PSInSAR – local survey -- Local tie vector -- Sentinel-1A/1B; Space sciences -- Periodicals; Astronautics -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 500.505
• DOI: 10.1016/j.asr.2022.04.050
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0273-1177

Abstract

Highlights: This paper describes the installation of a SAR corner reflector at Grasse co-location site. The approach is reproducible and can be recommended for future installations at GGOS sites. The absolute coordinates of the reflector were determined and are annually controlled by leveling. Abstract: We present the procedure we followed to design an artificial corner reflector (CR) at the Calern site of Côte d'Azur Observatory (France). Although still few in number, such reflectors are an integral part of the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS) infrastructure. They can be used as a stable radar target in SAR images to connect local InSAR deformation maps to the global Terrestrial Reference Frame and for SAR absolute determination. During a test phase, the orientation of the CR was changed in order to be aligned toward all possible orbits of Sentinel-1A/1B satellites. On the different SAR images, the CR exhibits a high backscattering signal, and provides a Signal-to-Clutter Ratio larger than 26 dB. Since December 2018, the CR is specifically oriented toward the relative orbit 88. It is clearly detected as a PS in our InSAR analyses and as expected, the standard deviation of displacement measured on the CR is lower than on surrounding PS. A first local survey was performed to locate precisely this CR with respect to the existing geodetic instruments and annual campaigns have been carried out since then to insure its stability over time.