Exploring the Limits of GPS-Based Precise Orbit Determination

George W. Davis

Abstract:	High fidelity numerical simulations were conducted to assess the anticipated level of radial orbit error for low altitude geodetic and oceanographic satellites tracked by the Global Positioning System (GPS). Tracking data were simulated for a GPS flight receiver in 700 km and 300 km altitude polar orbits and for a ground network of twenty-four GPS tracking stations. The simulations suggest that it should be possible to achieve 3 cm radial orbit accuracy for altitudes in the 700 km range, either with tuning of the geopotential or with filtering techniques that exploit the continuous, three-dimensional nature of GPS tracking. The simulations also suggest it should be possible to achieve 6 cm radial orbit accuracy for altitudes in the 300 km range. To improve upon this level of accuracy at such low altitudes, improvement of the geopotential and atmospheric drag models will probably be required. Since simulations tend to be optimistic, however, the results represent of the limiting accuracy that can currently be expected with GPS tracking.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 9th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1996) September 17 - 20, 1996 Kansas City, MO
Pages:	1399 - 1408
Cite this article:	Updated citation: Published in NAVIGATION: Journal of the Institute of Navigation
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