B. E. Schutz (Center for Space Research, University of Texas at Austin), H. J. Rim (Center for Space Research, University of Texas at Austin), C. E. Webb (Center for Space Research, University of Texas at Austin), S. Yoon (Center for Space Research, University of Texas at Austin), P. J. Shelus (Center for Space Research, University of Texas at Austin)
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Abstract:
The ICESat orbit has been determined using one of two BlackJack GPS receivers. The accuracy of the radial orbit component has been validated using ground-based Satellite Laser Ranging to an accuracy of 1-2 cm, which exceeds the pre-launch requirement of 5 cm.. Other measures of precision, such as “orbit overlaps,” yield better than 1 cm precision.. Although ICESat does not have stringent prediction requirements, the 600 km altitude makes it a suitable object for prediction experiments. As expected, atmospheric density variability is the dominant, and significant, source of prediction error.
Date of Conference: September 16-19, 2008
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