Application of time-variable process noise in terrestrial reference frames determined from VLBI data

In recent years, Kalman filtering has emerged as a suitable technique to determine terrestrial reference frames (TRFs), a prime example being JTRF2014. The time series approach allows variations of station coordinates that are neither reduced by observational corrections nor considered in the functional model to be taken into account. These variations are primarily due to non-tidal geophysical loading effects that are not reduced according to the current IERS Conventions (2010). It is standard practice that the process noise models applied in Kalman filter TRF solutions are derived from time series of loading displacements and account for station dependent differences. So far, it has been assumed that the parameters of these process noise models are constant over time. However, due to the presence of seasonal and irregular variations, this assumption does not truly reflect reality. In this study, we derive a station coordinate process noise model allowing for such temporal variations. This process noise model and one that is a parameterized version of the former are applied in the computation of TRF solutions based on very long baseline interferometry data. In comparison with a solution based on a constant process noise model, we find that the station coordinates are affected at the millimeter level.     

VLBI observations to the APOD satellite

The APOD (Atmospheric density detection and Precise Orbit Determination) is the first LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellite in orbit co-located with a dual-frequency GNSS (GPS/BD) receiver, an SLR reflector, and a VLBI X/S dual band beacon. From the overlap statistics between consecutive solution arcs and the independent validation by SLR measurements, the orbit position deviation was below 10?cm before the on-board GNSS receiver got partially operational. In this paper, the focus is on the VLBI observations to the LEO satellite from multiple geodetic VLBI radio telescopes, since this is the first implementation of a dedicated VLBI transmitter in low Earth orbit. The practical problems of tracking a fast moving spacecraft with current VLBI ground infrastructure were solved and strong interferometric fringes were obtained by cross-correlation of APOD carrier and DOR (Differential One-way Ranging) signals. The precision in X-band time delay derived from 0.1?s integration time of the correlator output is on the level of 0.1?ns. The APOD observations demonstrate encouraging prospects of co-location of multiple space geodetic techniques in space, as a first prototype.     

The bistatic radar capabilities of the Medicina radiotelescopes in space debris detection and tracking

An accurate measurement of the position and trajectory of the space debris fragments is of primary importance for the characterization of the orbital debris environment. The Medicina Radioastronomical Station is a radio observation facility that is here proposed as receiving part of a ground-based space surveillance system for detecting and tracking space debris at different orbital regions (from Low Earth Orbits up to Geostationary Earth Orbits). The proposed system consists of two bistatic radars formed by the existing Medicina receiving antennas coupled with appropriate transmitters. This paper focuses on the current features and future technical development of the receiving part of the observational setup. Outlines of possible transmitting systems will also be given together with the evaluation of the observation strategies achievable with the proposed facilities.     

月球重力场对“嫦娥一号”近月轨道的影响

2008年12月6日“嫦娥一号”卫星开始了为期半个月的变轨试验,卫星距离月球表面最近处 约为15 km,这在国内尚属首次。试验期间,国内USB和VLBI测控网进行了跟踪测量,获取了 卫星不同飞行高度的测轨资料。通过对变轨试验期间的USB和VLBI测量数据的定轨计算,分 析了月球重力场误差对于绕月低轨卫星的影响,计算表明,尽管目前的月球重力场模型高阶 项由于没有月球背面的测量数据而不准确,但对绕月低轨卫星的定轨精度提高仍然有重要帮 助。分析了VLBI数据对绕月低轨卫星定轨的贡献,比较了USB数据单独定轨以及USB和 VLBI联合定轨两种情况,结果表明VLBI数据的加入可有效提高定轨精度。该工作对于我国后 续月球探测工程具有一定的借鉴意义。
     

一种VLBI数字基带转换器的设计与研究

数字基带转换器在VLBI系统中主要完成中频信号的基带转换和频段选择,文中采用频域抽取和邻信道合并技术设计一种VLBI数字基带转换器。采用该方法设计的转换器具有比较平坦的通带特性和较大的阻带衰减,能够方便地实现带宽的动态变化。文中对频域抽取进行理论推导论证,并根据邻信道合并的条件,详细说明了原型低通滤波器的设计方法,最后通过仿真验证了新方法的有效性。     

基于我国VLBI网航天器定位归算仿真分析

结合我国VLBI观测网现状,通过仿真计算分析了观测时延噪声与系统差、预报轨道偏差和测距误差等对航天器定位归算的影响。结果表明,仅利用VLBI跟踪时附加飞行器地心距约束有利于压制定位点的弥散。 3站 VLBI跟踪的定位解是有偏估计,4站跟踪时要求所加约束的误差应与预报轨道偏差相当,若过大将起不到压制定位点弥散的良好效果,若过小则会在定位结果中引入系统偏差。时延与测距的观测噪声主要引起定位点序列的弥散。若观测量存在系统差则将引起定位结果的系统性偏差,而且定位点序列会发生渐近线性趋势跳变。同时,这也可以作为观测量是否存在系统差的判据。另外,若某时刻前后VLBI跟踪站存在3、4站变更,定位点序列有时发生趋势变化。分析结论对于我国后续探月和萤火计划等工程实践具有借鉴意义。     

俄罗斯应用天文研究所月球历表研究现状

空间探测需要越来越高精度的观测和历表支持。俄罗斯科学院应用天文研究所研发了满足精度要求的月球历表EPM-ERA,它与同期的法国INPOP历表和美国DE历表比较,精度方面有微小差距。分析了进一步提高历表精度的方法。然而EPM-ERA仅仅依赖于法国和美国台站提供的月球激光测距LLR数据,为了克服这个限制,应用天文研究所在推进俄罗斯西伯利亚阿尔塔伊LLR地面站的重建任务,以改善LLR测站分布的几何构型。俄罗斯的月球-全球和月球-资源探月计划为改进月球历表提供了机会,参与了多次国际深空探测的俄罗斯VLBI网"QUASAR"也将参与这些俄罗斯月球探测计划的精密测轨跟踪。     

一种用于深空导航定位的新型DOR信标

甚长基线干涉测量(VLBI)是深空探测器导航定位的重要手段之一,深空探测器的VLBI观测通常采用差分单程测距(DOR)信标和双差单程测距(Delta-DOR)测量体制,精确地测量深空探测器相对于河外射电源的角距.相位杂散是影响Delta-DOR测量精度的主要误差源之一,针对这项误差研究了一种基于伪随机噪声调制方式的新型...     

佘山VLBI站本振系统的性能评定

氢钟是甚长基线干涉仪(VLBI)中的一个关键系统。主要介绍与国际VLBI联测而建立的高质量频率标准的性能及氢钟的联接与技术要求。     

萤火一号火星轨道器开环追踪技术

中国首个火星探测器萤火一号计划于2009年10月和俄罗斯的火卫一采样探测器一道发射升空。萤火一号将探测火星的空间环境,并验证深空导航测控与通信技术。与常规的火星探测任务不同,该探测器的轨道与位置测量主要利用天文甚长基线干涉测量技术、开环跟踪测量技术、差分单程测距测速技术、同波束干涉测量技术以及单程Doppler测速技术承担。