Abstract's details
Is the CryoSat-2 orbit accuracy affected by space weather
Event: 2016 IDS Workshop
Session: Research activities and new applications
Presentation type: Type Oral
Contribution: not provided
Abstract:
We produce CryoSat-2 orbit solutions since June 2010 where we make of DORIS and satellite laser ranging tracking data. For CryoSat-2 the production of the orbits started in a solar minimum, next we went through a weak solar maximum from which we are currently returning to a minimum. To incorporate Sun's output in precision orbit determination use is made of the F10.7 proxy variable which is a space weather constant. The F10.7 variable is measured at 2800 MHz and it is an excellent indicator for solar activity, and therefore it becomes relevant for a thermospheric model. We expect that drag and solar radiation pressure on the spacecraft are affected. In this talk we will show that it is likely that variations of F10.7 are also visible in tracking data residuals, this means that the accuracy by which CryoSat-2 orbit can be determined will be affected. Different strategies will be discussed in an attempt to minimize the effect of F10.7 variations on the orbit.