VLBI technique for the orbit determination of Tianwen-1

Abstract

<p indent="0mm">Since the launch of the Tianwen-1 probe on July 23, 2020, the orbit of this probe has been determined using very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) together with Doppler and ranging, and the Zhurong Mars rover has been located. More than 40 software and hardware sets have been developed, tested, and installed for VLBI to meet the Tianwen-1 high-precision orbit determination requirements. Until June 18, 2021, 198 VLBI observations have been performed. The measurement errors in VLBI time delay and time delay rate are <sc>0.11 ns</sc> and <sc>0.33 ps/s,</sc> respectively. The orbit error of Tianwen-1 during the interplanetary cruise is <sc>~2 km,</sc> and it is <sc>~1 km</sc> around Mars. Additionally, the positioning accuracy of the Mars rover is several km. VLBI has made important contributions to trajectory correction, deep-space, near Mars capture, and far Mars maneuvers, Mars landing, etc. It has laid a good foundation for future deep-space probe precision orbit determination. Therefore, this paper introduces the technical upgrade of the VLBI network and presents the analysis and implementation of VLBI measurement and orbit determination.