Centimeter-Level Orbit Determination of GRACE-C Using IGS-RTS Data

Abstract

GNSS real-time applications greatly benefit from the International GNSS Service’s (IGS) real-time service (RTS). This service does more than provide for terrestrial precise point positioning (PPP); it also brings more possibilities for space-borne technology. With this service, the State-Space Representation (SSR) product, which includes orbit corrections and clock corrections, is finally available to users. In this paper, the GPS real-time orbit and clock corrections provided by 11 analysis centers (ACs) from the day of the year (DOY) 144 to 153 of 2022 are discussed from 3 perspectives: integrity, continuity, and accuracy. Moreover, actual observation data from the GRACE-C satellite are processed, along with SSR corrections from different ACs. The following can be concluded: (1) In terms of integrity and continuity, the products provided by CNE, ESA, and GMV perform better. (2) CNE, ESA, and WHU are the most accurate, with values of about 5 cm for the satellite orbit and 20 ps for the satellite clock. Additionally, the clock accuracy is related to the Block. Block IIR and Block IIR-M are slightly worse than Block IIF and Block IIIA. (3) The accuracy of post-processing reduced-dynamic precise orbit determination (POD) and kinematic POD are at the centimeter level in radius, and the reduced-dynamic POD is more accurate and robust than the kinematic POD.

Keywords

• state-space representation (SSR)
• space-borne GPS
• clock evaluation