Abstract
In this letter we reexamine the evaluation of the error due to the even zonal harmonics of the geopotential in some proposed tests of relativistic gravitomagnetism with existing and proposed laser–ranged LAGEOS–like satellites in the gravitational field of the Earth. It is particularly important because the error due to the even zonal harmonics of the geopotential is one of the major sources of systematic errors in this kind of measurements. A conservative, although maybe pessimistic, approach is followed by using the diagonal part only of the covariance matrix of the EGM96 Earth's gravity model up to degree l = 20. It turns out that, within this context and according to the present level of knowledge of the terrestrial gravitational field, the best choice would be the use of a recently proposed combination which involves the nodes Ω of LAGEOS, LAGEOS II and LARES and the perigees ω of LAGEOS II and LARES. Indeed, it turns out that the unavoidable orbital injection errors in the inclination of LARES would not affect the gravitational error which would also be insensitive to the correlations among the even zonal harmonics of geopotential.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
