A New Paradigm for High Accuracy Orbit Determination at the Centimeter Level

David W. Allen

Abstract:	Traditionally, satellite positions are determined by earth monitoring stations and their ephemeredes are given with respect to earth coordinates. As centimeter accuracies are anticipated, we realize that the dynamics of the earth's variations in spin rate and radius (solid earth tides) are several centimeters from day to day. A satellite constellation having centimeter accuracy would provide a robust opportunity to view the earth for the first time from an independent, local-inertial, reference frame. Given the recent developments in atomic clocks and other relevant technologies, a new paradigm is developed herein utilizing currently available technology. This paradigm leads us to believe that real-time centimeter accuracies are potentially achievable. This new paradigm takes advantage of the fundamentals in orbital physics to provide the necessary orthogonality and independence needed to potentially arrive at the desired robustness and accuracy, as well as independence for an orbiting constellation.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 14th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 2001) September 11 - 14, 2001 Salt Palace Convention Center Salt Lake City, UT
Pages:	331 - 345
Cite this article:	Allen, David W., "A New Paradigm for High Accuracy Orbit Determination at the Centimeter Level," Proceedings of the 14th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 2001), Salt Lake City, UT, September 2001, pp. 331-345.
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