Abstract
As one of the most essential modeling aspects for precise orbit determination, solar radiation pressure (SRP) is the largest non-gravitational force acting on a navigation satellite. This study focuses on SRP modeling of the BeiDou-3 experimental satellite I2-S (PRN C32), for which an obvious modeling deficiency that is related to SRP was formerly identified. The satellite laser ranging (SLR) validation demonstrated that the orbit of BeiDou-3 I2-S determined with empirical 5-parameter Extended CODE (Center for Orbit Determination in Europe) Orbit Model (ECOM1) has the sun elongation angle (ε angle) dependent systematic error, as well as a bias of approximately −16.9 cm. Similar performance has been identified for European Galileo and Japanese QZSS Michibiki satellite as well, and can be reduced with the extended ECOM model (ECOM2), or by using the a priori SRP model to augment ECOM1. In this study, the performances of the widely used SRP models for GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) satellites, i.e., ECOM1, ECOM2, and adjustable box-wing model have been compared and analyzed for BeiDou-3 I2-S satellite. In addition, the a priori SRP models are derived based on analytical cuboid box model and empirically spectra analysis, respectively. Use of the a priori model combined with ECOM1 was finally demonstrated to reduce the ε-angle-dependent systematic error, and thus improved the radial orbit accuracy by nearly 35 per cent when compared to the solution with standalone ECOM1, as revealed by the one way SLR residuals.
Highlights
Five years after the official announcement of providing the positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) service around Asia-Pacific region, Chinese BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BeiDou) has stepped into a new era recently
Once the space segment is successfully deployed, BeiDou will possess global service capability comprising totally 35 satellites distributed in geostationary orbit (GEO), inclined geosynchronous orbit (IGSO) and medium earth orbit (MEO) around 2020
In order to validate the new features of BeiDou-3 satellites, including new signals, inter-satellite link technology, and onboard frequency standards, two IGSO and three MEO experimental satellites have been launched
Summary
Five years after the official announcement of providing the positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) service around Asia-Pacific region, Chinese BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BeiDou) has stepped into a new era recently. To reduce the deficiency of the ECOM1 for the Galileo satellites, an a priori SRP model based on a generic box-wing model (hereafter called cuboid model) in YS mode to augment the ECOM1 was established [6]. With this a priori model, the peak magnitude of radial orbit errors was reduced from presently 20 cm down to 5 cm for Galileo IOV satellites outside eclipse phases, and similar performance has been achieved for Galileo Full-Operational-Capability (FOC) satellites [7].
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