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http://dx.doi.org/10.7780/kjrs.2006.22.4.255

Flight Performance Analysis of the GRACE Inter-Satellite Ranging Instrument  

Kim, Jeong-Rae (Hankuk Aviation University)
Publication Information
Korean Journal of Remote Sensing / v.22, no.4, 2006 , pp. 255-264 More about this Journal
Abstract
GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) is the first dedicated gravity mapping mission. Its primary measurements are the distance changes between two co-orbiting low earth satellites. GRACE is a joint development by NASA and German DLR and was launched in March 2002. GRACE improves the Earth gravity model accuracy by nearly two factor of magnitude over pre-launch models. After brief description of the GRACE primary instrument, inter-satellite ranging system, its flight status and preliminary performance evaluation is presented. Ranging system error models, which were not included in the pre-launch performance model and design specifications, are identified through analyzing the flight data. Base on this analysis, future research topics on the GRACE instrument performance analysis are discussed.
Keywords
GRACE; K-Band Ranging; Gravity Mapping; Inter-Satellite Ranging;
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