Correction of laser tracking data for the effects of horizontal refractivity gradients
Abstract
Pulsed laser ranging systems are being used to measure accurately the distance from the earth to retroreflector equipped satellites. At the lower elevation angles horizontal refractivity gradients can introduce centimeter level errors into the range measurements. A correction formula which compensates for the gradient effects is developed and evaluated using typical meteorological data obtained from weather stations located near Washington, D.C.
- Publication:
-
Applied Optics
- Pub Date:
- September 1977
- DOI:
- Bibcode:
- 1977ApOpt..16.2427G
- Keywords:
-
- Atmospheric Refraction;
- Laser Ranger/Tracker;
- Optical Correction Procedure;
- Optical Tracking;
- Retroreflection;
- Satellite Tracking;
- Distance Measuring Equipment;
- Elevation Angle;
- Error Analysis;
- Gradients;
- Instrument Compensation;
- Instrument Errors;
- Refractivity;
- Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command and Tracking;
- ATMOSPHERIC OPTICS;
- LIDAR;
- SATELLITES;
- RANGING;
- TRACKING;
- GEODESY