COLLAS: An Alternative Approach for the Analysis of Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) Data Collected During Collocation Tests

摘要

Data taken by laser ranging systems during collocation tests were analyzed using polynomial or orbit analysis techniques (POLYQUICK and GEODYN). An approach using the geometry of quadrangles formed by the laser systems and the satellite predictions (COLLAS) was compared with GEODYN. Simulation tests on COLLAS show satisfactory results even with noise on the data and gaps in the dataset. Precision demands of the input, i.e., azimuth, elevation, basis vector, etc., can be met. For a single pass solution GEODYN requires 70 sec; COLLAS needs only 8 sec. The long arc and short arc analyses of GEODYN involve several iterations, COLLAS consists of only one analysis.