Distance Between Two Keplerian Orbits

In this paper, constrained minimization for the point of closest approach of two conic sections is developed. For this development, we considered the nine cases of possible conics, namely, (elliptic–elliptic), (elliptic–parabolic), (elliptic–hyperbolic), (parabolic–elliptic), (parabolic–parabolic), (parabolic–hyperbolic), (hyperbolic–elliptic), (hyperbolic–parabolic), and (hyperbolic–hyperbolic). The developments are considered from two points of view, namely, analytical and computational. For the analytical developments, the literal expression of the minimum distance equation (S) and the constraint equation (G), including the first and second derivatives for each case, are established. For the computational developments, we construct an efficient algorithm for calculating the minimum distance by using the Lagrange multiplier method under the constraint on time. Finally, we compute the closest distance S between two conics for some orbits. The accuracy of the solutions was checked under the conditions that L| solution ≤ ɛ1; G| solution ≤ ɛ2, where ɛ1,2 < 10−10. For the cases of (parabolic–parabolic), (parabolic–hyperbolic), and (hyperbolic–hyperbolic), we studied thousands of comets, but the condition of the closest approach was not met.

Evaluation of GGMs Based on the Terrestrial Gravity Data of Gravity Disturbance and Moho Depthin Afar, Ethiopia

To estimate Moho depth, geoid, gravity anomaly, and other geopotential functionals, gravity data is needed. But, gravity survey was not collected in equal distribution in Ethiopia, as the data forming part of the survey were mainly collected on accessible roads. To determine accurate Moho depth using Global Gravity Models (GGMs) for the study area, evaluation of GGMs is needed based on the available terrestrial gravity data. Moho depth lies between 28 km and 32 km in Afar. Gravity disturbances (GDs) were calculated for the terrestrial gravity data and the recent GGMs for the study area. The model-based GDs were compared with the corresponding GD obtained from the terrestrial gravity data and their differences in terms of statistical comparison parameters for determining the best fit GGM at a local scale in Afar. The largest standard deviation (SD) (36.10 mGal) and root mean square error (RMSE) (39.00 mGal) for residual GD and the lowest correlation with the terrestrial gravity (0.61 mGal) were obtained by the satellite-only model (GO_CONS_GCF_2_DIR_R6). The next largest SD (21.27 mGal) and RMSE (25.65 mGal) for residual GD were obtained by the combined gravity model (XGM2019e_2159), which indicates that it is not the best fit model for the study area as compared with the other two GGMs. In general, the result showed that the combined models are more useful tools for modeling the gravity field in Afar than the satellite-only GGMs. But, the study clearly revealed that for the study area, the best model in comparison with the others is the EGM2008, while the second best model is the EIGEN6C4.

Performance Assessment of Real-Time Multiconstellation GNSS PPP Using a Low-Cost Dual-Frequency GNSS Module

The release of low-cost dual-frequency (DF) global navigation satellite system (GNSS) modules provides an opportunity for low-cost precise positioning to support autonomous vehicle applications. The new GNSS modules support the US global positioning system (GPS) L1C/L2C or L5 civilian signals, the Russian GNSS Globalnaya Navigazionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema (GLONASS) L1/L2, Europe’s GNSS Galileo E1/E5b, and Chinese GNSS BeiDou B1/B2 signals. The availability of the DF measurements allows for removal of the ionospheric delay, enhancing the obtained positioning accuracy. Unfortunately, however, the L2C signals are only transmitted by modernized GPS satellites. This means that fewer GPS DF measurements are available. This, in turn, might affect the accuracy and the convergence of the GPS-only precise point positioning (PPP) solution. Multi-constellation GNSS PPP has the potential to improve the positioning accuracy and solution convergence due to the high redundancy of GNSS measurements. This paper aims to assess the performance of real-time quad-constellation GNSS PPP using the low-cost u-blox Z9D-F9P module. The assessment is carried out for both open-sky and challenging environment scenarios. Static, simulated-kinematic, and actual field-kinematic trials have been carried out to evaluate real-time PPP performance. Pre-saved real-time precise orbit and clock products from the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales are used to simulate the real-time scenario. It is shown that the quad-constellation GNSS PPP using the low-cost u-blox Z9D-F9P module achieves decimeter-level positioning accuracy in both the static and simulated-kinematic modes. In addition, the PPP solution convergence is improved compared to the dual- and triple-constellation GNSS PPP counterparts. For the actual kinematic trial, decimeter-level horizontal positioning accuracy is achieved through the GPS + GLONASS + Galileo PPP compared with submeter-level positioning accuracy for the GPS + GLONASS and GPS + Galileo PPP counterparts. Additionally, submeter-level vertical positioning accuracy is achieved through the GPS + GLONASS + Galileo PPP compared with meter-level positioning accuracy for GPS + GLONASS and GPS + Galileo PPP counterparts.

First Results of Time Series Analysis of the Permanent GNSS Observations at Polish EPN Stations Using GipsyX Software

The aim of this work is to explore, for the first time in Poland, the possibility of determining Earth’s crust movements from permanent observations at selected permanent stations using the GipsyX software for a period of 8 years (2011–2018) in the ITRF2014 reference frame. The data used in this work are from 15 Aktywna Sieć Geodezyjna (ASG)-EUPOS stations from 2011 to 2018, which are also European Permanent Network (EPN) stations. The stations Borowa Góra, Borowiec, Józefosław, Lamkówko, and Wroclaw are also International Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) Service (IGS) stations. Daily data, rinex files, for these stations have been made available for this work by the Main Office of Surveying and Cartography. The calculations were made using the GipsyX software in the ITRF14 reference frame. The tests performed have shown that daily solutions from 8-year-long time series give secular trends with an accuracy of 0.01 mm/yr. Our results suggest that there are small differences in horizontal and vertical velocities and in the accuracy estimated between our and EPN solutions. At some stations, for example, Łódź, the differences are much larger. The impact of additional GNSS observations on the accuracy of determination of horizontal and vertical movements of the Earth’s crust shows a submillimeter accuracy in computed coordinates of stations even at a relatively small time interval. It means that multi-GNSS Precise Point Positioning (PPP) processing can be used in the future for the estimation of geodynamic processes.

Quasi-1500-Year-Cycle Signal in Length-of-Day Change

Length-of-day (LOD) change, i.e., variations in Earth’s rotation rate, includes the long-term slowdown trend, as well as periodic and irregular fluctuations. The current continuous sequence of the LOD change covers a time span of <400 years. Using astronomical records in ancient historical documents, combined with a modern astronomical ephemeris, it is possible to obtain ancient LOD change. Some scholars have given a discontinuous LOD data series for the past 4000 years. In this paper, the author uses the Lomb–Scargle periodogram to study the LOD series and finds a significant quasi-1500-year-cycle signal. Furthermore, with weighted wavelet Z-transform, time-varying characteristics of the cycle in the LOD change are obtained.

Performance Assessment of PPP-AR Positioning and Zenith Total Delay Estimation with Modernized CSRS-PPP

The precise point positioning (PPP) method has become more popular due to powerful online global navigation satellite system (GNSS) data processing services, such as the Canadian Spatial Reference System-PPP (CSRS-PPP). At the end of 2020, the CSRS-PPP service launched the ambiguity resolution (AR) feature for global positioning system (GPS) satellites. More reliable results are obtained with AR compared to the results with traditional ambiguity-float PPP. In this study, the performance of the modernized CSRS-PPP was comparatively assessed in terms of static positioning and zenith total delay (ZTD) estimation. Data for 1 month in the year 2019 obtained from 47 international GNSS service (IGS) stations were processed before and after modernization of the CSRS-PPP. The processes were conducted for GPS and GPS + GLONASS (GLObalnaya NAvigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema) satellite combinations. Besides, the results were analyzed in terms of accuracy and convergence time. According to the solutions, the AR feature of the CSRS-PPP improved the accuracy by about 50% in the east component for GPS + GLONASS configuration. The root-mean-square error (RMSE) of the ZTD difference between modernized CSRS-PPP service and IGS final troposphere product is 5.8 mm for the GPS-only case.

Effect of the Gravitational Aberration on the Earth Gravity Field

Discussing the problem of the external gravitational potential of the rotating Earth, we have to consider the fundamental postulate of the finite speed of the propagation of gravitation. This can be done using the expressions for the gravitational aberration compared to the Liénard–Wiechert solution of the retarded potentials. The term gravitational counter-aberration or co-aberration is introduced to describe the pattern of the propagation of the gravitational signal emitted by the rotating Earth. It is proved that in the first approximation, the classic theory of the aberration of light can be applied to calculate this effect. Some effects of the gravitational aberration on the external gravity field of the rotating Earth may influence the orbit determination of the Earth artificial satellites.

Automatic Detection of Dominant Crop Types in Poland Based on Satellite Images

The assumption of the European Union Common Agricultural Policy is to maintain good agricultural practices for sustainability in the environment. A number of requirements are imposed on farmers, including the maintenance of permanent grassland, fallow land or crop diversification. To meet these requirements, the European Union guarantees subsidies, but at the same time fields must be monitored focusing on crop identification. The limitation of field inspection and substituting it with crop recognition using satellite images could increase the effectiveness of this procedure. The application of satellite imagery in automatic detection and identification of dominant crops over a large area seems to be technically and economically sound. The paper discusses the concept and the results of automatic classification based on a Random Forests classifier performed on multitemporal images of Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8. A test site was established in a complex agricultural structure with long and narrow parcels in the south-eastern part of Poland. Time-series images acquired during the growing season 2016 were used for multispectral classification in different configurations: for Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 separately and for both sensors integrated. Different Random Forests approaches and post-processing methods were examined based on independent data from farmers’ declarations records, reaching the best accuracy of over 90% for crops like winter or spring cereals. Overall accuracy of the classification ranged from 72% to 91% depending on the classification variant. The elaborated scheme is novel in the context of Polish complex agricultural structure and smallholders.

Performance Evaluation of Precise Point Positioning Using Dual Frequency Multi-GNSS Observations

In addition to GPS and GLONASS constellation, the number of (Global Navigation Satellite System) GNSS satellites are increasing, it is now possible to evaluate and analyze the position accuracy with multi GNSS constellation. In this paper, statistical assessment of static Precise Point Positioning (PPP) using GPS, GLONASS, dual system GPS/GLONASS, three system GPS/GLONASS/Galileo, GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou and multi system GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou PPP combinations is evaluated. Observation data of seven whole days from seven IGS multi GNSS experiment (MGEX) stations is used for analysis. Position accuracy and convergence time is analyzed. Results show that the GPS/GLONASS positioning accuracy increases over GPS PPP. Standard deviations (STDs) of position errors for GPS PPP are 4.63, 3.00 and 6.96 cm in east, north and up components while STDs for GPS/GLONASS PPP are 4.10, 3.42 and 6.50 cm respectively. Root mean square for three dimension (RMS3D) for GPS/GLONASS PPP solution is 8.96 cm. With the addition of Galileo and BeiDou to the combined GPS/GLONASS further enhances the positioning accuracy. Root mean square for horizontal component reach to 5.35 cm of GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou PPP solutions. Results analysis of GPS/GLONASS/Galileo PPP solutions show an improvement of convergence time by only 3.81% to achieve accuracy level of 3.0 cm over GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou PPP mode. Results also demonstrate that position accuracy improvement after adding BeiDou observations to the GPS/GLONASS PPP mode is not significant.