Use of GPS for Precise and Operational Orbit Determination at ESOC

Tomas Martin Mur, John Dow, Nicolas Bondarenco, Stefano Casotto, Joachim Feltens, Carlos Garcia Martinez

Abstract:	A GPS Tracking and Data Analysis Facility (GPS- T’DAF) has been operating now for three years at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC). This facility was developed in order to support future ESA projects that involve GPS. The GPS-TDAF has been used for our participation in the International GPS Service for Geodynamics, as both Operational Data Centre and Analysis Centre, from the start of the IGS. ESOC is currently providing GPS tracking data from 5 ESA ground stations, precise orbits. precise clocks, earth orientation parameters (cop’s) and station coordinate solutions. ESOC is especially interested in the use of GPS for satellite orbit determination. In this context we have analyzed GPS data from two very different satellites, Topex/Poseidon and Astrospas. With the Topex/ Poseidon data we have obtained orbits that could be used to support applications that require a very precise orbit (e.g. altimeter). The Astrospas data do not have the same quality, but is of high interest because it is closer to the kind of data that will have to be processed in some missions that will use GPS for automated navigation and rendezvous. The ESOC approach to GPS data analysis is presented, together with the last results obtained for the different applications.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 8th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1995) September 12 - 15, 1995 Palm Springs, CA
Pages:	619 - 626
Cite this article:	Mur, Tomas Martin, Dow, John, Bondarenco, Nicolas, Casotto, Stefano, Feltens, Joachim, Martinez, Carlos Garcia, "Use of GPS for Precise and Operational Orbit Determination at ESOC," Proceedings of the 8th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1995), Palm Springs, CA, September 1995, pp. 619-626.
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