Improved determination of the gravitational constant of PHOBOS on the basis of Phobos-2 trajectory tracking
Abstract
Using Phobos-2 trajectory tracking data for the prolonged period when the spacecraft was in near-Phobos orbit, a new value of the Phobos gravitational constant of (7.22 + or - 0.05) x 10 to the -4th cu km/s sq was obtained. This corresponds to a Phobos mass of (1.08 + or - 0.01) x 10 to the 13th g.
- Publication:
-
Pisma v Astronomicheskii Zhurnal
- Pub Date:
- April 1990
- Bibcode:
- 1990PAZh...16..396K
- Keywords:
-
- Gravitational Constant;
- Phobos;
- Spacecraft Trajectories;
- Accuracy;
- Orbit Perturbation;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration