DFG-TIPOD
DFG-SPP1788 Development of High-precision Thermosphere Models for Improving Precise Orbit Determination of Low-Earth-Orbiting Satellites (TIPOD)
Zeitraum
01.01.2018 - 31.12.2021
Projektträger
DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft)
Ansprechpartner
Zusammenfassung
Satellites and space debris in low orbits are strongly dragged by Earth's atmosphere. The atmospheric drag is generally larger at lower altitudes. In fact, for low Earth orbiting satellites (LEOs) below 1000 km, the atmospheric drag
acceleration is the largest non-gravitational perturbation that has to be considered for precise orbit determination (POD). Precise orbits are crucial for a number of satellite-related geodetic applications, e.g., altimetry missions like Jason-3 measuring the surface height of the Earth's ocean or gravity missions like GRACE—FO determining the time variable gravity field of the Earth. Another important application is to determine if and where space debris crashes on the Earth.