A new method to determine the gravity field of small bodies from line-of-sight acceleration data

We present a new method to derive line-of-sight acceleration observables from spacecraft radio tracking data. The observables can be used to estimate the mass and gravity of a natural satellite as a spacecraft flyby. The corresponding observation model adapts to one-way and two/three-way tracking mo...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Research in astronomy and astrophysics 2019-03, Vol.19 (3), p.48, Article 048
Main Authors: Jian, Nian-Chuan, Yan, Jian-Guo, Ping, Jin-Song, Barriot, Jean-Pierre, P. Rodriguez, J. Alexis
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acceleration
Asteroids
celestial mechanics
Computer simulation
Data simulation
Doppler
Doppler tracking
Flyby missions
Gravitational fields
Gravity
Line of sight
line of sight acceleration
Mars
Mars Express (ESA)
Mars satellites
Natural satellites
Phobos
Radio tracking
Satellite observation
Spacecraft
Spacecraft tracking
Test procedures
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:We present a new method to derive line-of-sight acceleration observables from spacecraft radio tracking data. The observables can be used to estimate the mass and gravity of a natural satellite as a spacecraft flyby. The corresponding observation model adapts to one-way and two/three-way tracking modes. As a test case for method validation and application, we estimated the mass and degree two gravity field for the Martian moon Phobos using simulated tracking data when the spacecraft Mars Express flew by Phobos on 2013 December 29. We have a few real tracking data during flyby and they will be used to confirm raw data simulation. The main purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the method of line-of-sight acceleration reduction from raw tracking data and the feasibility to estimate mass and gravity of a natural satellite using this type of observable. This novel method is potentially applicable to planet and asteroid gravity field studies combined with Doppler tracking data.
ISSN:1674-4527
2397-6209
DOI:10.1088/1674-4527/19/3/48