Artificial Satellites 

About: Artificial Satellites is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): GNSS applications & Global Positioning System. It has an ISSN identifier of 1509-3859. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 268 publications have been published receiving 1526 citations.

The Lambda Method for the GNSS Compass

Abstract: Global Navigation Satellite System carrier phase ambiguity resolution is the key to high precision positioning and attitude determination. In this contribution we consider the GNSS compass model. We derive the integer least-squares estimators and discuss the various steps involved in the ambiguity resolution process. This includes the method that has successfully been used in (Park and Teunissen, 2003). We emphasize the unaided, single frequency, single epoch case, since this is considered the most challenging mode of GNSS attitude determination.

A General Multivariate Formulation of the Multi-Antenna GNSS Attitude Determination Problem

Abstract: Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) carrier phase ambiguity resolution is the key to high precision positioning, navigation and attitude determination. In this contribution we present a general formulation for the multi-antenna GNSS attitude determination problem. This multivariate formulation provides a general framework for solving various GNSS attitude determination problems. With the use of this formulation we show how the constrained integer least-squares carrier phase ambiguities and corresponding attitude matrix can be solved.

Sensitivity of Lageos Orbits to Global Gravity Field Models

Abstract: Sensitivity of Lageos Orbits to Global Gravity Field Models Precise orbit determination is an essential task when analyzing SLR data. The quality of the satellite orbits strongly depends on the models used for dynamic orbit determination. The global gravity field model used is one of the crucial elements, which has a significant influence on the satellite orbit and its accuracy. We study the impact of different gravity field models on the determination of the LAGEOS-1 and -2 orbits for data of the year 2008. Eleven gravity field models are compared, namely JGM3 and EGM96 based mainly on SLR, terrestrial and altimetry data, AIUB-CHAMP03S based uniquely on GPS-measurements made by CHAMP, AIUB-GRACE03S, ITG-GRACE2010 based on GRACE data, and the combined gravity field models based on different measurement techniques, such as EGM2008, EIGEN-GL04C, EIGEN51C, GOCO02S, GO-CONS-2-DIR-R2, AIUB-SST. The gravity field models are validated using the RMS of the observation residuals of 7-day LAGEOS solutions. The study reveals that GRACE-based models have the smallest RMS values (i.e., about 7.15 mm), despite the fact that no SLR data were used to determine them. The coefficient C20 is not always well estimated in GRACE-only models. There is a significant improvement of the gravity field models based on CHAMP, GRACE and GOCE w.r.t. models of the pre-CHAMP era. The LAGEOS orbits are particularly sensitive to the long wavelength part of the gravity fields. Differences of the estimated orbits due to different gravity field models are noticeable up to degree and order of about 30. The RMS of residuals improves from about 40 mm for degree 8, to about 7 mm for the solutions up to degrees 14 and higher. The quality of the predicted orbits is studied, as well.