Advancing intersatellite laser interferometry for geodesy applications

<p>In the summer of 2019 the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (German Aerospace Center) Institute for Satellite Geodesy and Inertial Sensing (DLR-SI) was founded. This new institute is located in Hannover with one group in Bremen. It benefits from strong ties to different institutes from the Leibniz University in Hannover (Institute for Quantum Optics, Institute of Geodesy, Institute for Gravitational Physics), the Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity (ZARM) in Bremen and the National Metrology Institute (PTB) in Brunswick.</p><p>In this talk I will give an overview of the focus of the working group for Laser Interferometric Sensing. The overarching goal of our group is the technology development for laser interferometric satellite geodesy missions, like a possible Next Generation Gravity Mission (NGGM). Due to the technological overlap, collaboration with the LISA community is also possible. Specifically, the currently planned work packages include, but are not limited to the development of novel optical bench topologies for laser interferometric ranging instruments for geodesy missions and the design of low noise photoreceivers and laser link acquisition sensors. Furthermore, interferometric readout of monolithic accelerometers will be studied and flight data from the GRACE Follow-On Laser Ranging Interferometer (LRI) will be evaluated within our group. In my talk I will give an overview of these planned work packages and will point out the expected benefit of these novel technologies to the geodesy community.</p>

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

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 h2 and Shida l2 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: h2 = 0.6078, l2 = 0.0847. In scenario 2, the coordinates were estimated using the harnessing values of the Love/Shida numbers (h2 = 0.6140 and l2 = 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.

Geometric and Dynamic Application of Satellite Geodesy in Environmental Mapping: A Conceptual Review

The impacts of satellite geodesy are being felt in all aspects of human development and environmental management. Its principal advantages stem from the global nature of its scope, the diversity of its sensors and the realtime capabilities to capture both visual, numerical and other data types for as long as desired and in all weather conditions. The capacity to pinpoint locations to high precision in fractions of a second and provide detailed geometric and graphical definitions of large swaths are proving useful for meeting the needs of a people desirous for automation in all aspects of human endeavours and for confronting the increasing challenges of sustainable development and environmental degradation. The most innovative facility provided by satellite geodesy is the technology of remote sensing which enables measurements of objects without physical contact for interpretative and mensurative analysis and mapping in static or kinematic modes. The aim of this paper is to showcase the contributions of satellite geodesy to sustainable environmental management its basic concepts and a brief exploration of some of its applications. The overall objective is to underscore its critical role in socio-economic development. The paper posits therefore that today’s rapidly changing environmental problems requiring static and realtime locational and graphical solutions can be solved through the facilities of satellite geodesy.