Millimeter accuracy SLR bias determination using independent multi-LEO DORIS and GPS-based precise orbits

Abstract

Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) has become an invaluable core technique in numerous geodetic applications. SLR measurements to passive spherical satellites essentially contribute to the determination of geocenter coordinates and global scale in the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) realizations. In addition, SLR measurements to active satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) are up to now mostly used for an independent validation of orbit solutions, usually derived by microwave tracking techniques based on Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS) or Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). This allows for the analysis of systematic orbit errors (e.g., originating from poorly known non-gravitational perturbations or sensor offsets) not only in the radial direction (key to satellite altimetry missions), but in three dimensions.Major obstacles to reach the millimeter accuracy and stability goals of 0.1mm/y (at decadal time scales) of the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS) are station-satellite measurement biases and on-ground/board coordinate offsets. Among the observatories of the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) a large diversity of measurement qualities exists, and the calibration of station-dependent errors is now necessary to further exploit SLR data for present and future climate-driven needs.We demonstrate that the analysis of SLR data to active LEO satellites equipped with DORIS or GNSS receivers is a promising means to characterize SLR biases and their stability. Using two independent selections of Earth observation missions in LEOs (consisting of six altimetry, three magnetic field and two gravity field satellites) with three different analysis software packages (Bernese, ZOOM, Napeos), we estimate SLR range biases for all involved tracking stations on a yearly basis. We find that for many of the stations independently estimated sets of biases agree on a few-mm level and that the inclusion of satellites from multiple missions allows rendering the bias estimation more robust and in particular less prone to geographically correlated orbit errors. This shows that microwave-derived orbits of active LEO satellites, nowadays of very high quality due to numerous advances in modeling and analysis techniques, can serve as interesting sources for SLR station calibration in demanding climate applications.