THE DELAY MISMODELLING DUE TO POINTING ERROR IN PRECISE SPACE TO EARTH GEODETIC OBSERVATIONS

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To predict the zenith, hydrostatic, wet or total atmospheric delay, we normally use only surface meteorological parameters. If we wish to scale the zenith delay to directions other than zenith we use known mapping functions, which use one or more basic parameters and the elevation of the radio source over the horizon. In this report we show that if, in any mapping function, the true elevation of the radio source is used then the resulting delay for the certain radio source is incorrect. The resulting delay is underestimated and the value of the error depends on the radio source elevation angle and height over the earth's surface. It is shown that this height and a modified elevation angle have to be considered and perhaps be modelled or included in the delay estimation procedure either in developing any mapping function or later in predicting the delay.