First Results: Precise Positioning with Galileo Prototype Satellites
September 10, 2012
By Richard B. Langley, Simon Banville, and Peter Steigenberger. For a brief period, and for a few hours […]
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By Richard B. Langley, Simon Banville, and Peter Steigenberger. For a brief period, and for a few hours […]
With the initial satellites of the Galileo constellation working well in orbit, it has been decided to end the mission of ESA’s pioneering GIOVE-A navigation satellite, reports the European Space Agency. Launched on December 28, 2005, this first experimental satellite performed the vital task of securing the radio frequencies provisionally set aside for Galileo by the International Telecommunications Union.
This month there is good news — great news, actually — where GPS and PNT (Position, Navigation and Timing) systems are concerned. On October 22, a Russian Soyuz rocket placed in orbit the first two validation satellites, built by EADS Astrium Germany, in the Galileo PNT constellation after making its maiden launch from Kourou. Don’t confuse these recent satellites with the earlier experimental satellites, GIOVE-A launched in 2005 followed by GIOVE-B launched in 2008. These initial satellites served to preserve the Galileo ITU frequency filings and test the first-ever space borne Hydrogen Maser atomic clock, which by all accounts is proving to be extremely accurate.
Using Microwaves and Laser Ranging for Precise Orbit DeterminationThough Galileo’s GIOVE-A is a test satellite not necessarily ready for scientific use, orbit analyses with a reduced accuracy can help to identify weaknesses and suggest improvements. This month, the authors share work being carried out to precisely determine the orbit of GIOVE-A using SLR and microwave observations. This preliminary investigation will benefit the procedures to be implemented for the future Galileo constellation.
AEP on the Ground; Galileo Tests, Rescue Role; DOT Weighs NDGPS Future, Asks Public Input; The Robots of DARPA
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