Abstract
In 1984 it was proposed to measure the gravitomagnetic field using two non-polar laser ranged satellites, of LAGEOS type, with supplementary inclination (butterfly configuration). The LAGEOS gravitomagnetic, Lense-Thirring, nodal precession is equal to 31 milliarcsec/year.
The orbital injection errors are among the list of potential error sources which could affect the measurement. A joint NASA-ASI scientific working group estimated an error budget considering orbits of supplementary inclination to LAGEOS I.
The present work will perform a new computation of the uncertainties due to orbital injection errors, having adopted JGM-2 as gravity model The improvement of the precision is of a factor 4, if compared with the previous computation performed by using the GEM-T1 model [1][2].
Furthermore it is investigated the possibility to use LAGEOS II as twin satellite in the “butterfly” configuration. The conclusion is that the accuracy in the measurement of the Gravitomagnetic effect is worsened.
Finally the improvements in the knowledge of the Earth’s gravity models makes wider the opportunities of using launchers less precise than DELTA-2 with a non-dramatic worsening of the error-budget. Therefore features of some candidates launchers and the impact of their associated orbit injection uncertainties on the measurement are discussed in the present paper.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
S. Casotto, I. Ciufolini, F. Vespe, G. Bianco; “Earth Satellites and Gravitomagnetic Field”, Nuovo Cimento, Vol. 105 B, N. 5, (1990)
S. Casotto; “Orbit Injection Error Analysis for the Proposed LAGEOS III Mission” Celestial Mechanics, Vol 56 No. 3, July (1993)
I. Ciufolini, “Measurement of the Lense-Thirring Drag on High-Altitude, Laser- Ranged Artificial Satellites”, Phys. Rev. Lett. 56, 278–281, (1986)
I. Ciufolini, “A Comprehensive Introduction to the LAGEOS Gravitomagnetic Experiment: from the Imprtance of the Gravitomagnetic Field in Physics to Preliminary Error Analysis and Errror Budget”, Int. J. Mod. Phys. 4, 3083–3145, (1989)
B. Bertotti, I. Ciufolini, “Measurement of the Gravitomagnetic Field Using a Pair of LASER Ranged Satellites”, ASI Final Report about LAGEOS I II, (1989)
B.D. Tapley; I. Ciufolini, J. Ries, R. Eanes, M. Watkins, B. Bertotti, G. Bianco, M. Carpino, M. Dobrowolny, P. Farinella, L. less, A. Nobili, S. Rabbia, F. Vespe; “LAGEOS III Joint NASA/ASI: final report” Presented at the LAGEOS III Science Advisory Group Meeting, Lanham,Md, May 22–23, (1989)
J. Ries, RJ. Eanes, B.D. Tapley, M. Watkins; “LAGEOS III Mission Analysis”, Presented at LAGEOS II Science Working Team Meeting, ASI Matera (Italy), May 10–12 (1993)
R. Scharroo, K.F. Wakker, B. Ambrosius, R. Noomen; “On the Along Track Acceleration of the LAGEOS Satellite”, J. Geophys. Res. B, 96, 729, (1991)
Inversi P., Vespe F.; “Direct and Indirect Solar Radiation Effect Acting on LAGEOS Satellite: Some Refinements”, presented at 29th COSPAR Plenary Meeting, Aug–Sept (1992)
D. Vockroulicky, P. Farinella, F. Mignard; “Solar Radiation Pressure Perturbations for Earth Satellites”Astron. & Astrophys., 285, 333–343, (1994)
D. Lucchesi, P. Farinella; “Optical properties of the Earth Surface and Long Term Perturbations of LAGEOS orbit:”, J.Geophys.Res. B, 97, 7121 (1992)
D. Vockroulicky, P. Farinella, D. Lucchesi; “Long Periodic Albedo Perturbation on LAGEOS”, Astron. & Astrophys., 280, 282–294, (1993)
Lerch F.J., Nerem R.S., Marshall J.C., Putney B.H., Pavlis E. C., Klosko S. M., Luthcke S.B., Patel G.B., Pavlis N.K., Williamson R.G., Chan J.C., Tapley B.D., Shum C.K., Ries J.C., Eanes R.J., Watkins M.M., Schutz B.E., Biancal R., Nouel F.; “Gravity Model Development for TOPEX/POSEIDON”, Presented at AGU 1993 Spring Meeting, Baltimore, May 24, (1993)
G. Ousley; “LAGEOS III Delta Launch Vehicle Support”; Presented at the LAGEOS III ASI meeting, Rome, 20 June (1991)
J. Ries;Private communications, University of Texas, (1994)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1995 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Vespe, F., Anselmo, L. (1995). Orbital Injection Analysis for Twin LAGEOS Satellites in Supplementary Orbits and the Measurement of the Lense-Thirring Gravitomagnetic Effect. In: Sansò, F. (eds) Geodetic Theory Today. International Association of Geodesy Symposia, vol 114. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-79824-5_20
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-79824-5_20
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-59421-5
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-79824-5
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive