Satellite Laser Ranging Stations Research Articles

Simulation of tracking scenarios to LAGEOS and Etalon satellites

The International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) provides weekly solutions for coordinates of Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) stations coordinates, geocenter coordinates, as well as Earth rotation parameters with a daily resolution. The ILRS standard solution is an important contribution to the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF). As of today, it is derived from SLR observations to the pairs of LAGEOS and Etalon satellites exclusively. In this paper, the effect of altering the tracking strategy for the LAGEOS and Etalon satellites on the weekly ILRS standard solution is studied. This is done by simulating various tracking scenarios and by comparing the parameters of the solutions for each scenario. In particular, the focus lies on redistributing observation time between the LAGEOS and Etalon satellites as a possible optimization for the tracking scheduling. By this, the current tracking capability of each station is taken into account with no change of the overall tracking activity to LAGEOS and Etalon. It is shown that the quality of the solution for the ITRF-relevant parameters is not significantly degraded when reducing the number of observations to LAGEOS by up to 20% with respect to the number of available normal points in 2016. The vacant tracking capability obtained from the reduction of LAGEOS observations may be used to increase the number of measurements to Etalon by a factor of three. This leads to nearly 10% improvement of the recovery of Earth rotation parameters within the combined LAGEOS–Etalon solution. With our study, we contribute to the ongoing discussions regarding tracking strategies for SLR stations within the ILRS. In particular, the stations could adjust their individual tracking priorities according to these results in the future without major investments or the need for new infrastructure.

Determination of the tectonic plates motion parameters based on SLR, DORIS and VLBI stations positions

Abstract On the base of International Terrestrial Reference Frame 2008 (ITRF2008) a new global plate model of station positions and velocities with accuracy 1–3 mm and 1 mm per year respectively was established. Next, this model was used in our paper for plate motion parameters estimation for the major plates as Eurasian, North American, Pacific and small plates as Australian, African and Antarctic on the base of the observation campaigns for three techniques: Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR), Doppler Orbitography by Radiopositioning Integrated on Satellite system (DORIS) and Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), each technique was analyzed separately. Investigation for GNSS technique is scheduled to take place in the future. The plate motion parameters were adjusted using least squares method and sequential solution. In the first stage, the plate motion parameters were determined for two selected stations and next stations were added until stability of the solution was observed. Final results of our solution were compared with the APKIM 2005 IGN model by H. Drewes. Agreement of solutions is order 2 degrees or better.

Tidal Parameters as a Tool for the Determination of the Coordinates of the SLR Stations

Abstract One of the primary objectives of satellite geodesy is the determination of coordinates of the satellite laser ranging (SLR) stations. This task is conducted by using laser ranging techniques. The main goal of the current study was to assess the influence of using varied values of the tidal parameters (Love h 2 and Shida l 2 numbers) on the determination of the positions of chosen SLR stations. The obtained results are presented for coordinates determination conducted for six SLR stations: Mt Stromlo (no. 7825, Australia), Matera (no. 7941, Italy), Grasse (no. 7845, France), McDonald (no. 7080, USA), Arequipa (no. 7403, Peru) and Beijing (no. 7249, China). The analysis covers SLR data for 2 satellites (LAGEOS1 and LAGEOS2), which were observed for 10 consecutive years (from 2008 to 2018). The analysis was performed using the ITRF2014 reference frame in two scenarios of calculations. In scenario 1, the SLR stations coordinates were calculated using the nominal values as per the International Earth Rotation and Reference System Service (IERS) standards recommendation of the Love/Shida numbers: h 2 = 0.6078, l 2 = 0.0847. In scenario 2, the coordinates were estimated using the harnessing values of the Love/Shida numbers (h 2 = 0.6140 and l 2 = 0.0876), which were proposed by authors in a previous publication. The effect of the application of different values of the Love/Shida numbers for the determination of SLR stations coordinates was scrutinized.

Future TRFs and GGOS – where to put the next SLR station?

Abstract. Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) is one of the four geodetic space techniques contributing to the realisation of terrestrial reference frames (TRFs) as well as to the determination of Earth Rotation Parameters (ERPs). The current SLR tracking network suffers from an insufficient network geometry due to a lack of stations especially in the southern hemisphere. Previous simulation studies have shown that the extension of the global SLR tracking network is indispensable for reaching the target accuracy of future TRFs according to user requests and the ambitious goals of the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS). The simulation study presented here puts the focus on a determination of the locations where additional SLR stations are most valuable for an improved estimation of the geodetic parameters. Within the present study, we perform a simulation of a set of stations distributed homogeneously over the globe and compare different solutions, always adding one of these simulated stations to the real SLR station network. This approach has been chosen in order to be able to investigate the deficiencies of the existing SLR network and to judge in which regions on the globe an additional SLR station would be most valuable for the improvement of certain geodetic parameters of SLR-derived reference frames. It is shown that the optimum location of a future SLR station depends on the parameter of interest. In case of the ERPs, the main potential for improvement by a single additional station can be shown for locations in polar regions (improvement for ypole up to 7 %) and for locations along the equator for the lengh of day (LOD, improvement up to 1.5 %). The TRF parameters would benefit from an additional station around the pierce points of the axes of the terrestrial reference frame (improvement for ty up to 4 %), the Arctic and the Pacific Ocean region (tz improved by up to 4.5 %), and the Antarctic and the Indian Ocean region (scale improved by up to 2.2 %). As outcome of this study, it is concluded that an additional SLR site in the Antarctic region might be of first priority, enabling improvements in the pole coordinates and the scale of the TRF; potential further sites are recommended in the equatorial region, especially beneficial for the origin of the realised TRF as well as for LOD.

Transitioning the NASA SLR network to Event Timing Mode for reduced systematics, improved stability and data precision

NASA’s legacy Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) network produces about one-third of the global SLR data to support space geodesy. This network of globally distributed stations has been using Time Interval Units (TIU) for range measurements for the last 25 + years. To improve the reliability of the SLR network and satisfy the need for stable millimeter precision data, a phased replacement of the TIUs in the network with picosecond-precise Event Timer Modules was initiated in 2015. This scheme allowed the time of flight and laser transmit epoch measurement to one picosecond resolution. For a network with global scientific impact, transitioning to a new data generation metrological scheme requires significant data scrutiny and long-term science data validation. Any long-term testing/measurement has the potential to interrupt the station’s daily operational data flow to the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) as the station under test will have to put its test data into quarantine. We have demonstrated a very effective way to test and implement the new device without removing the old hardware and without the need for the orbit analysis. This operationally noninvasive scheme performed concurrent test measurements enabling uninterrupted operational data flow to the users, while allowing simultaneous test data capture for short- and long-term systematics and stability analysis. Extensive analysis of the test data was performed by the NASA SLR engineering team and the ILRS Analysis Standing Committee, to uncover biases and any dependencies on the satellite ranges (for nonlinear scale issues). Multi-ETM comparison was also performed at two of the SLR stations through the interchange of hardware to establish the inter-device range biases and stability. Such benchmarked hardware was subsequently sent to the remaining stations to allow traceability and normalize the network performance. The range bias intercomparison performed using the multiyear SLR data analysis agreed well with the engineering changes, thus validating the approach to flush out station-specific ranging systematics affecting precise orbit determination. Such an improvement and rebalancing of the current network will allow an orderly transition of the current NASA SLR network operating at a maximum rate of 10 Hz to the NASA next generation Space Geodesy Satellite Laser Ranging (SGSLR) network operating at 2 kHz (McGarry et al. in J Geod, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00190-018-1191-6; Merkowitz et al. in J Geod, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00190-018-1204-5).

Impact of network constraining on the terrestrial reference frame realization based on SLR observations to LAGEOS

The Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) network struggles with some major limitations including an inhomogeneous global station distribution and uneven performance of SLR sites. The International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) prepares the time-variable list of the most well-performing stations denoted as ‘core sites’ and recommends using them for the terrestrial reference frame (TRF) datum realization in SLR processing. Here, we check how different approaches of the TRF datum realization using minimum constraint conditions (MCs) and the selection of datum-defining stations affect the estimated SLR station coordinates, the terrestrial scale, Earth rotation parameters (ERPs), and geocenter coordinates (GCC). The analyses are based on the processing of the SLR observations to LAGEOS-1/-2 collected between 2010 and 2018. We show that it is essential to reject outlying stations from the reference frame realization to maintain a high quality of SLR-based products. We test station selection criteria based on the Helmert transformation of the network w.r.t. the a priori SLRF2014 coordinates to reject misbehaving stations from the list of datum-defining stations. The 25 mm threshold is optimal to eliminate the epoch-wise temporal deviations and to provide a proper number of datum-defining stations. According to the station selection algorithm, we found that some of the stations that are not included in the list of ILRS core sites could be taken into account as potential core stations in the TRF datum realization. When using a robust station selection for the datum definition, we can improve the station coordinate repeatability by 8%, 4%, and 6%, for the North, East and Up components, respectively. The global distribution of datum-defining stations is also crucial for the estimation of ERPs and GCC. When excluding just two core stations from the SLR network, the amplitude of the annual signal in the GCC estimates is changed by up to 2.2 mm, and the noise of the estimated pole coordinates is substantially increased.

Time bias service: analysis and monitoring of satellite orbit prediction quality

The performance of satellite laser ranging (SLR) station operations relies to a large extent on the quality of the required satellite orbit predictions. Poor predictions with large along-track offsets, so-called time biases, increase the target acquisition time and thus reduce the performance of stations and the International Laser Ranging (ILRS) network as a whole. There is currently no established process to evaluate or monitor the quality of predictions. This paper presents a method for such a process that uses normal point data uploaded to data centers by ILRS stations worldwide. The first analysis results show systematic trends over time for most targets and prediction providers. These trends were used to predict the development of time bias values. We also present a service that provides these predicted values for the latest satellite orbit predictions of selected targets and providers in real time. Using these values during tracking allows for faster target acquisition and thus better tracking performance at ILRS SLR stations. Through monitoring, the service further enables stations to select the best available predictions during tracking and to notify prediction providers if issues are encountered. This tool benefits not only the stations by improving their tracking performance but also allows for prediction improvement and greater support of missions.

Determination of Global Geodetic Parameters Using Satellite Laser Ranging Measurements to Sentinel-3 Satellites

Sentinel-3A/3B (S3A/B) satellites are equipped with a number of precise instruments dedicated to the measurement of surface topography, sea and land surface temperatures and ocean and land surface color. The high-precision orbit is guaranteed by three instruments: Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, laser retroreflector dedicated to Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) and Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS) antenna. In this article, we check the possibility of using SLR observations and GPS-based reduced-dynamic orbits of active S3A/B satellites for the determination of global geodetic parameters, such as geocenter motion, Earth rotation parameters (ERPs) and the realization of the terrestrial reference frame, based on data from 2016-2018. The calculation process was preceded with the estimation of SLR site range biases, different network constraining tests and a different number of orbital arcs in the analyzed solutions. The repeatability of SLR station coordinates based solely on SLR observations to S3A/B is at the level of 8-16 mm by means of interquartile ranges even without network constraining in 7-day solutions. The combined S3A/B and LAGEOS solutions show a consistency of estimated station coordinates better than 13 mm, geocenter coordinates with a RMS of 6 mm, pole coordinates with a RMS of 0.19 mas and Length-of-day with a RMS of 0.07 ms/day when referred to the IERS-14-C04 series. The altimetry observations have to be corrected by the geocenter motion to obtain unbiased estimates of the mean sea level rise. The geocenter motion is typically derived from SLR measurements to passive LAGEOS cannonball-like satellites. We found, however, that SLR observations to active Sentinel satellites are well suited for the determination of global geodetic parameters, such as Earth rotation parameters and geocenter motion, which even further increases the potential applications of Sentinel missions for deriving geophysical parameters.

Troposphere delay modeling with horizontal gradients for satellite laser ranging

Satellite laser ranging (SLR) constitutes a fundamental space geodetic technique providing global geodetic parameters, such as geocenter coordinates, Earth rotation parameters, and low-degree gravity field coefficients. The tropospheric delay correction is one of the crucial corrections that have to be taken into account when processing SLR data. Current conventional models of the troposphere delays assume a full symmetry of the atmosphere above SLR stations. Neglecting horizontal gradients in SLR solutions introduces a systematic error in SLR products, especially for the observations at low elevation angles, and leads to a deterioration of the consistency between SLR and other space geodetic techniques, such as global navigational satellite systems and very-long-baseline interferometry. We derive new mapping function coefficients, as well as first- and second-order horizontal gradients, all of which are based on numerical weather models, in order to properly consider the azimuthal asymmetry in SLR solutions. We test the enhanced mapping function and horizontal gradients on the solutions based on 11 years of SLR observations to LAGEOS-1/2 satellites and 1 year of SLR observations to Sentinel-3A. The consideration of azimuthal asymmetry of the atmosphere above the SLR stations has a systematic effect on SLR-derived products, such as station and geocenter coordinates and pole coordinates. Horizontal gradients in SLR solutions improve the consistency between SLR-derived pole coordinates and the combined IERS-C04 series by means of reducing the offset for the X and Y pole coordinates by 20 {upmu }mathrm{as}. The second-order horizontal gradients are negligible in SLR solutions; thus, including first-order gradients is sufficient for SLR solutions.

Design and qualification of a recessed satellite cornercube retroreflector for ground-based attitude verification via satellite laser ranging

The design and qualification of a retroreflector specifically designed for a CubeSat (CubeL) is described. The CubeSat will be launched to space in 2019 and demonstrate the latest generation of the optical space infrared downlink system developed by the German Aerospace Center together with the industrial partner Tesat-Spacecom. The retroreflector is optimized to allow for a coarse verification of the satellites attitude control system. By analyzing the returning photon count during satellite laser ranging (SLR) when the satellite is operated in station pointing mode attitude information is obtained. To achieve this goal, the entrance face of the retroreflector is recessed by a circular tube-shaped aperture. Due to this recession, the signal reflected from the retroreflector falls off rapidly when the retroreflector is tilted away from the SLR station. From measurements of the retroreflectors far-field diffraction pattern and calculations, we believe that it should be possible to determine the orientation accuracy of the satellite to within ± 2°. The proposed method is an effective and cheap way for coarse attitude control, e.g., for satellites of mega-constellations with any existing satellite laser ranging ground station.

Impact of the Atmospheric Non-tidal Pressure Loading on Global Geodetic Parameters Based on Satellite Laser Ranging to GNSS

Atmospheric pressure loading plays a crucial role in precise space geodesy, thus its omission, especially the nontidal loading (ANTL) part, leads to the inconsistency between solutions based on the microwave [Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)] and optical [satellite laser ranging (SLR)] observations. SLR observations are performed only during the cloudless conditions coincident with high values of air pressure that deforms the earth’s crust downward. The systematic shift of the estimated SLR station coordinates, which arises from the ANTL omission, is called the Blue-Sky effect. The offset is related to the long-term averaging of ANTL for SLR observations which are provided in sparse intervals, unlike GNSS, which observes continuously. Based on the ANTL model applied on SLR observations to GNSS, we determined the values of the Blue-Sky effect. The largest values of the Blue-Sky effect are observed for the inland stations, i.e., 2.3, 2.1, 2.0, and 1.9 mm for Svetloe, Potsdam, Baikonur, and Altay, respectively. We also investigate the impact of the omission of ANTL corrections on geodetic parameters, i.e., earth rotation parameters, geocenter motion, precise GNSS orbits, as well as on the global SLR network. The negligence of ANTL causes a systematic effect on geocenter coordinates with the amplitude of the annual signal at the level of 1.9 mm for the Z-component. The omission of ANTL corrections causes also a systematic shift of the multi-GNSS orbit constellation with the amplitude of the annual signal at the level of 2.7 mm for the Z-component.

Satellite laser ranging at 100 kHz pulse repetition rate

Current satellite laser ranging (SLR) systems work at laser repetition rates of some 10 Hz up to about 10 kHz. However, using a laser repetition rate of 100 kHz offers several advantages. First, a laser with lower pulse energy can be used, while nevertheless the same amount of returns is received for a given target. Second, a poor single-shot precision (e.g. due to a long laser pulse) can be counteracted, as the statistical error decreases with the number of individual measurements. These two factors increase the number of options concerning the laser source and may also help to make the system inherently eye safe. Lastly, it may also help to gather data more quickly and thus increase the number of targets that can be tracked per system. A high repetition rate SLR system has been installed at the Uhlandshöhe observatory in Stuttgart, Germany. Using an effective repetition rate of 100 kHz and a pulse energy of 50 ,upmu hbox {J}, various typical SLR targets could be ranged successfully, including LAGEOS and global navigation system satellites at altitudes of around 20,000 km. A comparative orbit analysis, using data taken by other SLR stations at the same time, shows that a normal point scatter in the order of 1 cm is achieved despite the rather poor single-shot precision of about 60 cm. These results show an interesting potential especially for future low-cost SLR systems that may utilize this technique to achieve competitive performance with small, low-energy lasers.

Operating two SLR systems at the Geodetic Observatory Wettzell: from local survey to space ties

The present paper provides an overview on the design of a new Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) system, the Satellite Observing System Wettzell (SOS-W). It pays special attention on the local survey, the determination and monitoring of the ties between the established Wettzell Laser Ranging System (WLRS) and the SOS-W. We also introduce an alternative normal point algorithm, which demonstrated fewer systematics in the resulting normal point statistics compared to the standard approach of iterative data editing. Having two highly productive SLR stations on site allows for a rigorous comparison between local survey derived ties and space segment derived ties. One-year observations to the Laser Geodynamic Satellite (LAGEOS) have been processed, and a multitude of different solutions has been calculated. The results show agreement in the sub-millimeter range with respect to the local survey.

Estimating global geodetic parameters using SLR observations to Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou, GPS, and QZSS

All Galileo, GLONASS, QZSS, and BeiDou satellites are equipped with laser retroreflector arrays dedicated to satellite laser ranging (SLR). Using SLR data to new GNSS systems allows for estimating global geodetic parameters, such as Earth rotation parameters, global scale, and geocenter coordinates. In this study, we evaluate the quality of global geodetic parameters estimated on a basis of SLR tracking of new GNSS satellites and the combined solution based on SLR observations to GNSS and LAGEOS. We show that along with a progressive populating of Galileo orbital planes, the quality of geocenter components based on SLR–GNSS data has been improved to the level of 6 and 15 mm for equatorial and polar geocenter components, respectively. The scale of the reference frame and the geocenter coordinates in the combined LAGEOS + GNSS solutions are dominated by the LAGEOS data. Some noncore SLR stations provide by far more observations to GNSS than to LAGEOS, e.g., Russian and Chinese stations dedicated to supporting GLONASS and BeiDou constellations. The number of solutions for these stations can be increased by up to 40%, whereas the station coordinate repeatability can be improved from about 20–30 mm to the level of 15–20 mm when considering both SLR to LAGEOS and SLR to GNSS.

Creation of in-sky safety system using ADS-B radar receiver based on RTL-SDR device for SLR station Golosiiv

The purpose of this work is to develop and assemble the real-time in-sky safety system for SLR (Satellite Laser Ranging) system. It is based on receiving ADS-B protocol aircraft data via RTL-SDR device. This solution represents an asynchronous service in the SLR laser control system. It instantly inhibits SLR laser pulses in order to prevent illumination of an aircraft. The service is ready at the SLR station ‘Golosiiv’ (Ukraine) (EUROLAS Data Center ID – 1824).

Estimation of SLR station coordinates by means of SLR measurements to kinematic orbit of LEO satellites

Generally, the dynamical model is used to estimate coordinates of satellite laser ranging (SLR) stations. In this paper, we put forward a kinematic method to estimate the coordinates of SLR stations by using global navigation satellite system (GNSS) technique onboard a low Earth orbiting (LEO) satellite. We applied it to the processing of SLR and GNSS observations of the GRACE-A satellite from January to December 2012. We found that the LEO satellite as a space-based connection between SLR and GNSS techniques allowed the precise estimation of SLR site positions with the agreement level of 2–3 cm with respective to SLRF2014. The SLR network can be attached to the IGS network at the centimeter level. The results show that the proposed method is feasible for determining the coordinates of SLR stations as an idea for the satellite-based integration of different space geodetic techniques.

Modernizing and Expanding the NASA Space Geodesy Network to Meet Future Geodetic Requirements.

NASA maintains and operates a global network of Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR), and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) ground stations as part of the NASA Space Geodesy Program. The NASA Space Geodesy Network (NSGN) provides the geodetic products that support Earth observations and the related science requirements as outlined by the US National Research Council (NRC 2010, 2018). The Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS) and the NRC have set an ambitious goal of improving the Terrestrial Reference Frame (TRF) to have an accuracy of 1 millimeter and stability of 0.1 millimeters per year, an order of magnitude beyond current capabilities. NASA and its partners within GGOS are addressing this challenge by planning and implementing modern geodetic stations co-located at existing and new sites around the world. In 2013, NASA demonstrated the performance of its next-generation systems at the prototype next-generation core site at NASA's Goddard Geophysical and Astronomical Observatory in Greenbelt, Maryland. Implementation of a new broadband VLBI station in Hawaii was completed in 2016. NASA is currently implementing new VLBI and SLR stations in Texas and is planning the replacement of its other aging domestic and international legacy stations. In this article, we describe critical gaps in the current global network and discuss how the new NSGN will expand the global geodetic coverage and ultimately improve the geodetic products. We also describe the characteristics of a modern NSGN site and the capabilities of the next-generation NASA SLR and VLBI systems. Finally, we outline the plans for efficiently operating the NSGN by centralizing and automating the operations of the new geodetic stations.

The next generation of satellite laser ranging systems

Satellite laser ranging (SLR) stations in the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) global tracking network come in different shapes and sizes and were built by different institutions at different times using different technologies. In addition, those stations that have upgraded their systems and equipment are often operating a complementary mix of old and new. Such variety reduces the risk of systematic errors across all ILRS stations, and an operational advantage at one station can inform the direction and choices at another station. This paper describes the evolution of the ILRS network and the emergence of a new generation of SLR station, operating at kHz repetition rates, firing ultra-short laser pulses that are timestamped by epoch timers accurate to a few picoseconds. It discusses current trends, such as increased automation, higher repetition rate SLR and the challenges of eliminating systematic biases, and highlights possibilities in new technology. In addition to meeting the growing demand for laser tracking support from an increasing number of SLR targets, including a variety of Global Navigation Satellite Systems satellites, ILRS stations are striving to: meet the millimetre range accuracy science goals of the Global Geodetic Observing System; make laser range measurements to space debris objects in the absence of high optical cross-sectional retro-reflectors; further advances in deep space laser ranging and laser communications; and demonstrate accurate laser time transfer between continents.

NASA's Satellite Laser Ranging Systems for the 21st Century.

For over 40 years, NASA's global network of satellite laser ranging (SLR) stations has provided a significant percentage of the global orbital data used to define the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF). The current NASA legacy network is reaching its end-of-life and a new generation of systems must be ready to take its place. Scientific demands of sub-millimeter precision ranging and the ever-increasing number of tracking targets give aggressive performance requirements to this new generation of systems. Using lessons learned from the legacy systems and the successful development of a prototype station, a new network of SLR stations, called the Space Geodesy Satellite Laser Ranging (SGSLR) systems, is being developed. These will be the state-of-the-art SLR component of NASA's Space Geodesy Project (SGP). Each of SGSLR's nine subsystems has been designed to produce a robust, kilohertz laser ranging system with 24/7 operational capability and with minimal human intervention. SGSLR's data must support the aggressive goals of the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS), which are 1 millimeter (mm) position accuracy and 0.1 mm per year stability of the ITRF. This paper will describe the major requirements and accompanying design of the new SGSLR systems, how the systems will be tested, and the expected system performance.

Characteristics of GOCE orbits based on Satellite Laser Ranging

The Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) was the first European Space Agency’s (ESA) Earth Explorer core mission. Through its extremely low, about 260 km above the Earth, circular, sun-synchronous orbit, the satellite gained high spatial resolution and accuracy gravity gradient, and ocean circulation data. Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, mounted on the spacecraft, allowed the determination of reduced-dynamic and kinematic GOCE orbits, whereas Laser Retroreflector Array (LRA) dedicated to Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) allowed an independent validation of GPS-derived orbits. In this paper, residuals between different GPS-based orbit types and SLR observations are used to investigate the sensitivity and the influence of solar, geomagnetic, and ionospheric activities on the quality of kinematic and reduced-dynamic GOCE orbits. We also analyze the quality of data provided by individual SLR sites, by detecting time biases using ascending and descending sun-synchronous GOCE orbit passes, and the residual analysis of the measurement characteristics, i.e., the dependency of SLR residuals as a function of nadir and horizontal angles. Results show a substantial vulnerability of kinematic orbit solutions to the solar F10.7 index and the ionospheric activity measured by the variations of the Total Electron Content (TEC) values. The sensitivity of kinematic orbits to the three-hour-range KP index is rather minor. The reduced-dynamic orbits are almost insensitive to indices describing ionospheric, solar, and geomagnetic activities. The investigation of individual SLR sites shows that some of them are affected by time bias errors, whereas other demonstrate systematics, such as a dependency between observation residuals and the satellite nadir angle or the horizontal azimuth angle from the SLR station to the direction of the satellite.