The crustal dynamics data information system: A resource to support scientific analysis using space geodesy

Since 1982, the Crustal Dynamics Data Information System (CDDIS) has supported the archive and distribution of geodetic data products acquired by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as well as national and international programs. The CDDIS provides easy, timely, and reliable access to a variety of data sets, products, and information about these data. These measurements, obtained from a global network of nearly 650 instruments at more than 400 distinct sites, include DORIS (Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite), GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), SLR and LLR (Satellite and Lunar Laser Ranging), and VLBI (Very Long Baseline Interferometry). The CDDIS data system and its archive have become increasingly important to many national and international science communities, particularly several of the operational services within the International Association of Geodesy (IAG) and its observing system the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS), including the International DORIS Service (IDS), the International GNSS Service (IGS), the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS), the International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry (IVS), and the International Earth rotation and Reference frame Service (IERS). Investigations resulting from the data and products available through the CDDIS support research in many aspects of Earth system science and global change. Each month, the CDDIS archives more than one million data and derived product files totaling over 90 Gbytes in volume. In turn, the global user community downloads nearly 1.2 Tbytes (over 10.5 million files) of data and products from the CDDIS each month. The requirements of analysts have evolved since the start of the CDDIS; the specialized nature of the system accommodates the enhancements required to support diverse data sets and user needs. This paper discusses the CDDIS, including background information about the system and its user communities, archive contents, available metadata, and future plans.     

Status of the T2L2/Jason2 Experiment

The T2L2 (Time Transfer by Laser Link) project, developed by CNES and OCA will permit the synchronization of remote ultra stable clocks and the determination of their performances over intercontinental distances. The principle of the experiment derives from Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) technology with dedicated space equipment. T2L2 was accepted in 2005 to be on board the Jason2 altimetry satellite. The payload consists of both event timer and photo detection modules. The system uses the ultra-stable quartz oscillator of DORIS as on-board reference clock on one hand, and the Laser Reflector Array, making T2L2 a real two-way time transfer system on the other hand. The expected time stability of the T2L2 instrument (detection and timing), referenced by the DORIS oscillator and including all internal error sources should be at the level of 10–12 ps at 1 s and <1 ps at 1000 s. The metrological specifications of T2L2 should permit to maintain a precision of 1 to a few ps when measuring the phase of a clock during around 1000 seconds.     

Attitude analysis of space debris using SLR and light curve data measured with single-photon detector

Attitude is the important parameter for active debris removal and collision avoidance. This paper deduced the spin axis orientation and spin period of the rocket body, CZ-3B R/B (NORAD ID 38253), using the satellite laser ranging and light curve data measured with single-photon detector at Graz station. The epoch method and LC & SLR residuals fitting were combined to determine these values. The derived right ascension angle was around 220°, the declination angle was near 64° and the sidereal period was calculated to be 117.724 s, for 2017-07-03. The results derived from the two distinct methods were mutually validated. Rocket bodies are a major contributor to space debris and this work provides a reference for attitude determination and attitude modelling.     

纯音测距体制中软件解模糊的实现方法

基于无线电纯音测距的原理，逐步推出用软件实现匹配解距离模糊的方法。讨论了选择原测音时应考虑的因素，分析了相位精度的影响，并介绍了静态匹配、原测音恢复和动态跟踪的算法。实际应用表明，该方法解距离模糊正确，距离跟踪正常。     

脉冲超宽带信号测量性能分析

超宽带技术是一项新兴的无线通信技术,具有极其广阔的发展前景,但目前仅用于室内短距离通信,少见用于航天测控系统。为了将超宽带技术应用于测控系统中,以模糊函数为工具,对脉冲超宽带信号的测量性能进行分析。首先推导矩形脉冲串信号和载波调制矩形脉冲串信号的模糊函数,并对其模糊特性进行仿真分析。在此基础上,主要针对用于测控系统的伪码调制脉冲超宽带信号,利用其模糊函数分析其测距测速性能。结果表明:该超宽带信号具有良好的测距测速性能,其最大无模糊距离为1个伪码周期,最大无模糊多普勒频率为脉冲重复频率的倒数;单脉冲宽度越窄,其测距性能越好而测速性能越差。     

Spectral filter for signal identification in the kHz SLR measurements of the fast spinning satellite Ajisai

The high repetition rate satellite laser ranging (SLR) measurements to the fast spinning satellites contain a frequency signal caused by the rotational motion of the corner cube reflector (CCR) array. The spectral filter, developed here, is based on the Lomb algorithm, and is tested with the simulated and the observed high repetition rate SLR data of the geodetic satellite Ajisai (spin period ∼2 s). The filter allows for the noise elimination from the SLR data, and for identification of the returns from the single CCRs of the array – even for the low return rates. Applying the spectral filter to the simulated SLR data increases the S/N ratio by a factor 40–45% for all return rates. Filtering out the noise from the observed data strengthens the frequency signal by factor of ∼25 for the low return rates, which significantly helps to determine the spin phase of the satellite. The spectral filter is applied to the Graz SLR data and the spin rates of Ajisai are determined by two different methods: the frequency analysis and the phase determination of the spinning retroreflector array.The analysis of more than 8 years of the Graz SLR measurements indicates an exponential spin rate trend: f = 0.67034 exp(−0.0148542 Y) [Hz], RMS = 0.085 mHz, where Y is the year since launch. The highly accurate spin rate information demonstrates periodic changes related to the precession of the orbital plane of Ajisai, as it determines the amount of energy received by the satellite from the Sun. The rate of deceleration of Ajisai is not constant: the half life period of the satellite’s spin oscillates around 46.7 years with an amplitude of about 5 years.     

10 Years of LAGEOS-1 and 15 years of LAGEOS-2 spin period determination from SLR data

Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) stations measure distance to the satellites equipped with Corner Cube Reflectors (CCRs). These range measurements contain information about spin parameters of the spacecraft. In this paper we present results of spin period determination of two passive satellites from SLR data only: 10 years of LAGEOS-1 (10426 values), and 15 years of LAGEOS-2 (15580 values). The measurements have been made by standard 10 Hz SLR systems and the first 2 kHz SLR system from Graz (Austria). The obtained data allowed calculation of the initial spin period of the satellites: 0.61 s for LAGEOS-1 and 0.906 s for LAGEOS-2. Long time series of the spin period values show that the satellite’s slowing down rate is not constant but is oscillating with a period of 846 days for LAGEOS-1 and 578 days for LAGEOS-2. The results presented here definitely prove that the SLR is a very efficient technique able to measure spin period of the geodetic satellites.     

转发式测轨系统地面设备时延测量方法

受地面设备时延误差的影响,转发式测轨系统的卫星定轨精度受到严重制约。为实现卫星精密定轨,地面设备时延误差的精确补偿至关重要,因此需要对地面设备时延进行精确测量。采用一种外环设备时延测量方法,实现对转发式测轨系统地面设备时延的实时测量。经过试验验证和分析,结果表明地面设备时延测量稳定度优于0.3ns,修正地面设备时延误差后的卫星重叠弧段的轨道差RMS值优于2m。     

地基激光测距系统观测空间碎片进展

卫星激光测距作为地基光电望远镜系统重要技术应用,可直接精确测量空间碎片距离,提升碎片目标轨道监测精度。基于上海天文台60 cm口径激光测距望远镜,应用百赫兹重复率高功率激光器、高效率激光信号探测系统等,建立了空间碎片激光测距系统,实现了对距离500~2600 km、截面积0.3~20 m2的碎片目标观测,测距精度优于1 m,具备了碎片目标常规测量与应用能力。此外,开展了空间目标白天监视技术研究,实现了亮于6星等恒星的白天观测,并进行了望远镜局部指向误差模型分析,分析结果可应用于空间碎片白天激光观测的目标监视与引导。