Residual Patterns in GRACE Follow-On Laser Ranging Interferometry Post-Fit Range Rate Residuals

authored by: Mathias Duwe, Igor Koch, Jakob Flury
Abstract: The novel laser ranging interferometer (LRI) on GRACE Follow-On (GRACE-FO) provides range and range rate measurements for more than 4 years now. Since the launch of the GRACE-FO mission there were few investigations about this measurement system on the level of gravity field recovery and analysis of post-fit residuals. We applied techniques such as along-orbit-analysis or time-argument of latitude diagrams (TAL) to analyse the post-fit range rate residuals as well as the post-fit range acceleration residuals to identify unknown characteristics and systematic effects. The effects are the range rate effect, the panel effect, the Carrier-To-Noise Ratio (CNR) effect and the polar effect. The range rate effect occurs, when the range rate observation ρ̇ of the LRI is around 0 m/s. In the TAL diagram the effect appears as a mesh pattern. The panel effect shows patterns of increased residuals when a specific satellite panel starts or stops being illuminated by the Sun. Increased residuals appear when the laser beam is aligned with the Sun. A CNR drop as well as a fluctuation of the yaw and pitch pointing angles obtained from the LRI steering mirrors is observable. Additionally, when the satellites flying into or out of the Earth shadow this effect coincides with the shadow transition effect. Another effect is the CNR effect which appears as an elliptic shape in the TAL diagram. This pattern occurs when the CNR values drop below the LRI requirements of 70 dB-Hz. All these effects have not been detected in the residuals of the GRACE-FO K-band ranging system (KBR) and therefore further investigation and studies will improve the understanding and applications of LRI technology.
Organisation(s): Institute of Geodesy
Type: Article
Journal: Advances in space research
Volume: 73
Pages: 5769-5782
No. of pages: 14
ISSN: 0273-1177
Publication date: 15.06.2024
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Aerospace Engineering, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Geophysics, Atmospheric Science, Space and Planetary Science, General Earth and Planetary Sciences
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2024.03.035 (Access: Open)

BibTeX

@article{083652db36f44e43b3c623ffb4841d5d,
title = "Residual Patterns in GRACE Follow-On Laser Ranging Interferometry Post-Fit Range Rate Residuals",
abstract = "The novel laser ranging interferometer (LRI) on GRACE Follow-On (GRACE-FO) provides range and range rate measurements for more than 4 years now. Since the launch of the GRACE-FO mission there were few investigations about this measurement system on the level of gravity field recovery and analysis of post-fit residuals. We applied techniques such as along-orbit-analysis or time-argument of latitude diagrams (TAL) to analyse the post-fit range rate residuals as well as the post-fit range acceleration residuals to identify unknown characteristics and systematic effects. The effects are the range rate effect, the panel effect, the Carrier-To-Noise Ratio (CNR) effect and the polar effect. The range rate effect occurs, when the range rate observation {\.ρ} of the LRI is around 0 m/s. In the TAL diagram the effect appears as a mesh pattern. The panel effect shows patterns of increased residuals when a specific satellite panel starts or stops being illuminated by the Sun. Increased residuals appear when the laser beam is aligned with the Sun. A CNR drop as well as a fluctuation of the yaw and pitch pointing angles obtained from the LRI steering mirrors is observable. Additionally, when the satellites flying into or out of the Earth shadow this effect coincides with the shadow transition effect. Another effect is the CNR effect which appears as an elliptic shape in the TAL diagram. This pattern occurs when the CNR values drop below the LRI requirements of 70 dB-Hz. All these effects have not been detected in the residuals of the GRACE-FO K-band ranging system (KBR) and therefore further investigation and studies will improve the understanding and applications of LRI technology.",
keywords = "GRACE Follow-On, Gravity field, Laser ranging, LRI, Post-fit residuals",
author = "Mathias Duwe and Igor Koch and Jakob Flury",
note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2024 COSPAR",
year = "2024",
month = jun,
day = "15",
doi = "10.1016/j.asr.2024.03.035",
language = "English",
volume = "73",
pages = "5769--5782",
journal = "Advances in space research",
issn = "0273-1177",
publisher = "Elsevier Ltd.",
number = "12",
}