Precise Orbit Determination of GPS-36 Satellite Using Satellite Laser Ranging

Abstract

Satellite laser ranging is a technique for precisely measuring the range between a laser station and a satellite that is equipped with retro-reflectors. SLR technique was first used for Beacon-B satellite in 1964 with the ranging accuracy of meter level. Now the single shot have centimeter level accuracy and the normal point have mm level in ranging. In this study we developed the algorithm for precise orbit determination using SLR data and performed the orbit determination of GPS-36 satellite using the algorithm. RMS of the estimated orbit was 74cm when compared with IGS precise orbit. It is known that RMS of SLR measurement residual is below 55mm. But we were able to achieve 44mm RMS of residual throughout this study.

Keywords

• GPS
• normal point
• orbit determination
• retro-reflector
• SLR