TASS1.6: Ephemerides of the major Saturnian satellites.

We recall the main features of TASS, a new theory of high precision (about ten kilometers), for the satellites Mimas, Enceladus, Tethys, Dione, Rhea, Titan and Japetus. It is analytical with respect to the dynamical parameters of the Saturnian system, allowing to adjust them by fitting TASS to observations. In this paper TASS is compared to the Earth based observations of these satellites found in the catalogue compiled by Strugnell & Taylor (1990). These observations have been put in a form usable by the theory. We have built the corresponding equations of condition (=~50000). A least square procedure has been done with a discussion about the estimation of the errors on the dynamical parameters which we have determined. The determination of the physical parameters of the dynamical Saturnian system is in good agreement with other determinations when they exist. Furthermore, the precisions of the oblateness coefficients J_2_ and J_4_ reach those based on Pioneer and Voyager spacecraft. The position of the equatorial plane is also found in good agreement with other determinations. Besides, the root-mean-square residuals between theory and observations are slightly improved. So, we can consider now that the reduction of the future observations of high precision (mutual events in 1995-1996 and spacecraft observations) should be done with this new tool to improve again our knowledge of the dynamical parameters of the system. TASS is now ready to give accurate ephemerides of the major saturnian satellites.