In this letter we reexamine the evaluation of the error due to the even zonal harmonics of the geopotential in some proposed tests of relativistic gravitomagnetism with existing and proposed laser–ranged LAGEOS–like satellites in the gravitational field of the Earth. A more conservative and realistic approach is followed by using the diagonal part only of the covariance matrix of the EGM96 Eart...

Optical clock technology is very certain to be integrated in the next high precision time standards. The demand for higher accuracy in time synchronization makes the use of free-space optical links necessary for frequency dissemination, especially if mobile partners are involved. These links are the most suitable solution in order to disseminate high frequencies in between satellites, ground st...

We calculate the Newtonian gravitational potential and field of a cubic, homogeneous asteroid and we apply it to the orbit of possible satellites. Large astronomical objects such as stars or planets, naturally tend to form spherical shapes due to the dominance of the gravitational forces, but as a thought experiment, we consider the properties of a planet in the form of a perfect cube. We inves...

the grace mission has substantiated the low–low satellite-to-satellite tracking (ll-sst) concept. the ll-sst configuration can be combined with the previously realized high–low sst concept in the champ mission to provide a much higher accuracy. the line of sight (los) acceleration difference between the grace satellite pair is the most frequently used observable for mapping the global gravity f...

To date, the most accurate value of the combination 2+2γ−β 3 of the PPN Eddington-Robertson-Schiff parameters β and γ has been obtained by measuring the perihelion shift of Mercury in the gravitational field of the Sun by means of the radar ranging technique. The accuracy level is less than 10. In this paper we explore the possibility of measuring 2+2γ−β 3 in the gravitational field of the Eart...

We study the dynamics of the relative motion of satellites in the gravitational field of the Earth, including the effects of the bulge of the Earth (the J2 effect). Using Routh reduction and dynamical systems ideas, a method is found that locates orbits such that a cluster of satellites remains close with very little dispersing, even with no controls.

Laser ranging is an indispensable independent tool for validating the precise orbits determined for GNSS satellites using microwave pseudorange observations since decades. SLR allowed it to identify orbit modeling issues. Including albedo radiation pressure and antenna thrust, among others, into the GPS orbit model allowed it to basically eliminate the observed SLR bias. For the first Galileo s...