Twinsat earth gravity field mapping
Abstract
Results of a sensitivity study on the proposed Lo-Lo (Twinsat) satellite-to-satellite tracking mission are described. The relative range-rate signal due to a local gravitational anomaly is investigated as a function of height and satellite separation. It is shown that the signal strength is weak and that an optimal combination of signal strength and resolution is achieved when the satellites are separated by 3 deg along-track. The signal does not resolve point masses closer than 5 deg apart when the satellites are at 300 km altitude. The influence of other factors on the system is evaluated, including the low frequency gravitation field effect on the orbit and the dependence of the noise of the data type on (electronic) integration time.
- Publication:
-
Unknown
- Pub Date:
- October 1975
- Bibcode:
- 1975tegf.rept.....L
- Keywords:
-
- Earth Gravitation;
- Gravitational Fields;
- Gravity Anomalies;
- Satellite Tracking;
- Range And Range Rate Tracking;
- Signal Processing;
- Spacecraft Orbits;
- Geophysics