A simulation study for anticipated accuracy of lunar gravity field model by SELENE tracking data

Results of numerical simulations are presented to examine the global gravity field recovery capability of the Japanese lunar exploration project SELENE (SELenological and ENgineering Explorer) which will be launched in 2007. New characteristics of the SELENE lunar gravimetry include 4-way satellite-to-satellite Doppler tracking of main orbiter and differential VLBI tracking of two small free-flier satellites. It is shown that the proposed satellite constellation will provide the first truly global satellite tracking data coverage. The expected results from these data are; (1) drastic reduction in far-side gravity error, (2) estimation of many gravity coefficients by the observation, not by a priori information, and (3) one order of magnitude improvement over existing gravity models for low-degree field.     

Data processing center of RadioAstron space VLBI project

In this paper, questions on development, implementation, and operation of RadioAstron project Data Processing Center (DPC) are reviewed. The main components of the dedicated DPC are the computer complex with 1 TFlops/s performance, storage with memory capacity of approximately 10 PB, the network infrastructure, and the corresponding communication channels. Performance enhancement methods and resolution of information storage, archiving, and process problems of space VLBI high-speed digital data flows are analyzed. It is shown that successful operation of DPC is mainly provided by optimal organization of computer system structure, storage, and networking transmission. Some of the important key features of RadioAstron project DPC and its comparative differences from the standard VLBI procedures are considered.     

Automated and dynamic scheduling for geodetic VLBI – A simulation study for AuScope and global networks

As we move into the next era of geodetic VLBI, the scheduling process is one focus for improvement in terms of increased flexibility and the ability to react with changing conditions. A range of simulations were conducted to ascertain the impact of scheduling on geodetic results such as Earth Orientation Parameters (EOPs) and station coordinates. The potential capabilities of new automated scheduling modes were also simulated, using the so-called ‘dynamic scheduling’ technique. The primary aim was to improve efficiency for both cost and time without losing geodetic precision, particularly to maximise the uses of the Australian AuScope VLBI array.We show that short breaks in observation will not significantly degrade the results of a typical 24?h experiment, whereas simply shortening observing time degrades precision exponentially. We also confirm the new automated, dynamic scheduling mode is capable of producing the same standard of result as a traditional schedule, with close to real-time flexibility. Further, it is possible to use the dynamic scheduler to augment the 3 station Australian AuScope array and thereby attain EOPs of the current global precision with only intermittent contribution from 2 additional stations. We thus confirm automated, dynamic scheduling bears great potential for flexibility and automation in line with aims for future continuous VLBI operations.     

An Event Horizon Imager (EHI) Mission Concept Utilizing Medium Earth Orbit Sub-mm Interferometry

Submillimeter interferometry has the potential to image supermassive black holes on event horizon scales, providing tests of the theory of general relativity and increasing our understanding of black hole accretion processes. The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) performs these observations from the ground, and its main imaging targets are Sagittarius A* in the Galactic Center and the black hole at the center of the M87 galaxy. However, the EHT is fundamentally limited in its performance by atmospheric effects and sparse terrestrial (u,v)-coverage (Fourier sampling of the image). The scientific interest in quantitative studies of the horizon size and shape of these black holes has motivated studies into using space interferometry which is free of these limitations. Angular resolution considerations and interstellar scattering effects push the desired observing frequency to bands above 500 GHz.
This paper presents the requirements for meeting these science goals, describes the concept of interferometry from Polar or Equatorial Medium Earth Orbits (PECMEO) which we dub the Event Horizon Imager (EHI), and utilizes suitable space technology heritage. In this concept, two or three satellites orbit at slightly different orbital radii, resulting in a dense and uniform spiral-shaped (u,v)-coverage over time. The local oscillator signals are shared via an inter-satellite link, and the data streams are correlated on-board before final processing on the ground. Inter-satellite metrology and satellite positioning are extensively employed to facilitate the knowledge of the instrument position vector, and its time derivative. The European space heritage usable for both the front ends and the antenna technology of such an instrument is investigated. Current and future sensors for the required inter-satellite metrology are listed. Intended performance estimates and simulation results are given.      

深空导航无线电干涉测量技术的发展历程和展望

结合世界各航天大国和组织所开展的深空探测活动和深空测控系统建设中,对无线电干涉测量技术的开发、应用以及深空导航技术试验验证情况,系统地梳理和总结了深空导航无线电干涉测量技术的发展历程,并通过该技术未来在国际上几个主要深空探测任务中的应用规划,分析了无线电干涉测量领域未来的发展方向.该领域技术的最新发展对我国深空测控网无线电干涉测量系统的后续建设也具有重要的借鉴意义.     

A VLBI baseline post-adjustment approach for station velocity estimation in Eurasian continent

Baseline lengths and their time-derivatives among 58 geodetic VLBI stations were fitted by using 4439 observing sessions from the International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry (IVS). First, the velocities of eight stations in Eurasian continent were set as unknown quantities. Then, two standard global solutions from 3523 IVS sessions and 1110 sessions from database code XA, respectively, were applied prior to all-station coordinates and the non-estimated station velocities. Finally, from the relations among the coordinates, velocities, baseline length and its time-derivative, two types of baseline post-adjustment (BPA) were used to estimate the velocities of the eight stations. We discuss the data processing details, including the effect of different prior values for the stations and the optimal solution.     

Proposal of application of same beam VLBI measurements in precision orbit determination of lunar orbiter and return capsule and lunar gravity field simulation in Chang’E-3 mission

High accuracy differenced phase delay can be obtained by observing multiple point frequencies of two spacecraft using the same beam Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) technology. Its contribution in lunar spacecraft precision orbit determination has been performed during the Japanese lunar exploration mission SELENE. In consideration that there will be an orbiter and a return capsule flying around the moon during the Chinese lunar exploration future mission Chang’E-3, the contributions of the same beam VLBI in spacecraft precision orbit determination and lunar gravity field solution have been investigated. Our results show that the accuracy of precision orbit determination can be improved more than one order of magnitude after including the same beam VLBI measurements. There are significant improvements in accuracy of low and medium degree coefficients of lunar gravity field model obtained from combination of two way range and Doppler and the same beam VLBI measurements than the one that only uses two way range and Doppler data, and the accuracy of precision orbit determination can reach meter level.     

用于深空探测任务的先进通信与导航体制

介绍了一套用于深空探测的先进通信与导航体制.在综述美国国家航空航天局相关研究进展、讨论这套体制中的关键特征技术的同时,文章利用飞行在地月平动点L3/L4/L5的晕轨道上的中继通信和跟踪卫星,建议了一种超长距离干涉测量(ELBI)技术.探讨了ELBI技术对先进通信与导航体制进行增强的可能性和应用潜力.     

差分VLBI在深空导航中应用接收机信号形式的选择

讨论了差分VLBI系统在深空探测中应用的几个问题，就标校接收机的带宽设计进行了分析，提出了目标接收机在应用中可能的三种信号形式，并分析了三种信号形式在深空探测中应用的可能性，验算了每种信号形式的性能，并对将来可能使用形式进行了探讨。