Exchanging satellite attitude quaternions for improved GNSS data processing consistency

The orientation of GNSS satellites in space is a key quantity data processing. It required to correctly apply several force models and observation corrections. Incorrect or insufficient modeling satellite attitude can lead inconsistencies both among providers products between users, which negatively affects the quality combined positioning solutions. Exchanging information form quaternions helps eliminate reduce those inconsistencies. This study presents first systematic exchange common format (called ORBEX) within International Service (IGS). A comparison auxiliary from seven IGS analysis centers over one-year period shows significant differences for GPS GLONASS satellites, but not Galileo. These are mostly confined eclipse periods reach up 180°. Considering center solutions an experimental clock combination significantly improved consistency during periods. kinematic PPP covering ten globally distributed stations one week resulted almost unanimous improvement when using provided instead nominal model, with average RMS reduction 50% east components. results presented this show that important making it available benefits users.