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Enhanced solar radiation pressure modeling for Galileo satellites

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Abstract

This paper introduces a new approach for modeling solar radiation pressure (SRP) effects on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSSs). It focuses on the Galileo In-Orbit Validation (IOV) satellites, for which obvious SRP modeling deficits can be identified in presently available precise orbit products. To overcome these problems, the estimation of empirical accelerations in the Sun direction (D), solar panel axis (Y) and the orthogonal (B) axis is complemented by an a priori model accounting for the contribution of the rectangular spacecraft body. Other than the GPS satellites, which comprise an almost cubic body, the Galileo IOV satellites exhibit a notably rectangular shape with a ratio of about 2:1 for the main body axes. Use of the a priori box model allows to properly model the varying cross section exposed to the Sun during yaw-steering attitude mode and helps to remove systematic once-per-revolution orbit errors that have so far affected the Galileo orbit determination. Parameters of a simple a priori cuboid model suitable for the IOV satellites are established from the analysis of a long-term set of GNSS observations collected with the global network of the Multi-GNSS Experiment of the International GNSS Service. The model is finally demonstrated to reduce the peak magnitude of radial orbit errors from presently 20 cm down to 5 cm outside eclipse phases.

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Acknowledgments

This study is based on Galileo observations collected by the Multi-GNSS Experiment (MGEX) of the International GNSS Service (IGS). The support of all participating station providers and data centers is gratefully acknowledged. The authors are, furthermore, grateful to the International Satellite Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) for making available the SLR observations used in the orbit validation of the Galileo satellites. The European Space Agency (ESA) and the Astronomical Institute of the University of Bern (AIUB) are acknowledged for granting access to their NAPEOS and Bernese software packages.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. German Space Operations Center, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, 82230, Weßling, Germany

    O. Montenbruck & P. Steigenberger

  2. Institut für Astronomische und Physikalische Geodäsie, Technische Universität München, 80290, München, Germany

    U. Hugentobler

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  1. O. Montenbruck
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  2. P. Steigenberger
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  3. U. Hugentobler
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Correspondence to O. Montenbruck.

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Montenbruck, O., Steigenberger, P. & Hugentobler, U. Enhanced solar radiation pressure modeling for Galileo satellites. J Geod 89, 283–297 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00190-014-0774-0

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