Position determination of the Chang’e 3 lander with geodetic VLBI

Abstract

Abstract We present results from the analysis of observations of the Chang’e 3 lander using geodetic Very Long Baseline Interferometry. The applied processing strategy as well as the limiting factors to our approach is discussed. We highlight the current precision of such observations and the accuracy of the estimated lunar-based parameters, i.e., the lunar lander’s Moon-fixed coordinates. Our result for the position of the lander is $$44.1219{3}^\circ \hbox {N}$$ 44.12193∘N , $$-\,19.511{59}^\circ \hbox {E}$$ -19.51159∘E and $$-\,263{7.3}$$ -2637.3 m, with horizontal position uncertainties on the lunar surface of 8.9 m and 4.5 m in latitude and longitude, respectively. This result is in good agreement with the position derived from images taken by the Narrow Angle Camera of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Finally, we discuss potential improvements to our approach, which could be used to apply the presented concept to high-precision lunar positioning and studies of the Moon.

Keywords

• Moon
• Geodetic Very Long Baseline Interferometry
• c5++
• Chang’e 3
• OCEL