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NASA NTRS1994

Cosmic acceleration of Earth and the Moon by dark matter

In order to test the hypothesis that the gravitational interaction between our Galaxy's dark matter and the ordinary matter in Earth and the Moon might not fulfill the equivalence principle (universality of free fall), we consider the pertinent perturbation of the lunar orbit -- a sidereal month period range oscillation resulting from a spatially fixed polarization of the orbit. Lunar laser ranging (LLR) data can measure this sidereal perturbation to an accuracy equal to or better than its existing measurement of the synodic month period range oscillation amplitude (+/- 3 cm) which has been used for testing whether Earth and the Moon accelerate at equal rates toward the Sun. Because of the slow precession rate of the Moon's perigree (8.9 yr period), the lunar orbit is particularly sensitive to a cosmic acceleration; the LLR fit of the orbit places an upper limit of 10(exp -13) cm/sq. s for any cosmic differential acceleration between Earth (Fe) and the Moon (silicates). This is 10(exp -5) of the total galactic acceleration of the solar system, of which, it has been suggested, a large portion is produced by dark matter.

Nordtvedt, Kenneth L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Earth orientation from lunar laser range-differencing

For the optimal use of high precision lunar laser ranging (LLR), an investigation regarding a clear definition of the underlying coordinate systems, identification of estimable quantities, favorable station geometry and optimal observation schedule is given.

Leick, A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Estimability and simple dynamical analyses of range (range-rate range-difference) observations to artificial satellites

Non-Bayesian statistics were used in simulation studies centered around laser range observations to LAGEOS. The capabilities of satellite laser ranging especially in connection with relative station positioning are evaluated. The satellite measurement system under investigation may fall short in precise determinations of the earth's orientation (precession and nutation) and earth's rotation as opposed to systems as very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) and lunar laser ranging (LLR). Relative station positioning, determination of (differential) polar motion, positioning of stations with respect to the earth's center of mass and determination of the earth's gravity field should be easily realized by satellite laser ranging (SLR). The last two features should be considered as best (or solely) determinable by SLR in contrast to VLBI and LLR.

Vangelder, B. H. W.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Earth rotation from lunar laser ranging

Since the time when the first laser retroreflector was placed on the lunar surface by the Apollo 11 astronauts, lunar laser ranging (LLR) has led to advances in a wide range of disciplines, including the study of variations in the rotation of the earth. The conventional techniques used to monitor earth rotation suffer from lack of precision on time scales of a few months and less. LLR, by contrast, makes it possible to monitor small changes in earth rotation with a temporal resolution of the order of 1 day. Studies of earth rotation by LLR are discussed, taking into account data sensitivity, aspects of data analysis, the variation of latitude, and UTO, the mean solar time at the site as affected by polar motion.

Langley, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Intercomparison of lunar laser and traditional determinations of earth rotation

Since August, 1969, ranges to one or more retroreflector arrays on the lunar surface have been measured by means of a laser procedure. Analysis of these measurements improves determination, not only of the orbit and librations of the moon, but also of the rotational parameters of the earth, including the X and Y coordinates of the terrestrial pole, and the true rotational angle of the earth with respect to atomic or to broadcast time. The considered approach for deriving the Universal Time 1 (UT1) involves two steps. During the first step the parameters of the lunar orbit and librations are solved along with the coordinates of the retroreflectors on the moon and of the observatory. Improved values of the Universal Time 0 (UT0) and range corrections at the observatory are obtained in the second step. Attention is given to lunar laser ranging (LLR), raw data in UT1, an harmonic analysis of the LLR UT1 data, and data obtained in 1980. The results provide UT1 with an accuracy of a factor of 2 or more better than was previously available from conventional astrometric data.

Fliegel, H. F.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Comparison of polar motion results using lunar laser ranging

A comparison of polar motion results from three sources (Bureau International de l'Heure (BIH), Defense Mapping Agency Hydrographic/Topographic Center (DMAHTC-Doppler), the International Polar Motion Service (IPMS)) was performed using lunar laser ranging (LLR) data. The rms errors, both of the LLR data and of the determinations of polar motion by the three services, decreased in recent times. The BIH and Doppler polar motion are comparable in quality (12 + or - 6 cm for BIH values taken from August 1976 through May 1980, 14 + or - 7 cm for Doppler results taken from June 1977 through May 1980). The IPMS errors were substantially larger (33 + or - 7 cm for data taken from August 1976 through May 1980). All three analyses give 13 + or - 3 cm as an estimate for the combined LLR modeling, fitting, and instrumental error (noise) for the last four years.

Dickey, J. O.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Comparison of earth rotation as inferred from radio interferometric, laser ranging and astrometric observations

Results of measurements of the earth's rotation vector for a 400-day period from late September 1980 to December 1981, for which date from VLBI, satellite laser ranging (SLR), and lunar laser ranging (LLR) were available, are compared. The acquisition of the data and their evaluation are described. VLBI, SLR, and classical astrometric determinations of the X-parameter required to describe the location of the rotation pole on the earth's surface are shown, and VLBI, LLR, and classical astrometric determinations of the angle of rotation about this pole (UT1) are presented. The results indicate that VLBI and SLR, at their present stages of development, yield standard errors under 20 cm in the determinations of X, about twofold smaller than obtained from classical measurements, and that VLBI and LLR yield determination of UT1 with standard errors less than 40 cm, somewhat smaller than that of the corresponding determinations from classical observations. Methods for improving these types of intercomparisons are suggested.

Robertson, D. S.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Earth rotation from lunar laser ranging

The rotational orientation (Universal Time and the variation of latitude at McDonald Observatory, Texas) of the earth has been determined between mid 1970 and mid 1982 from McDonald Observatory lunar laser ranging (LLR) data. Universal Time, UT1, is calculated and supplied in three forms, the raw daily decomposition values, the Gaussian filtered values and the Fourier smoothed values. Formal error estimates are available for all three types. LLR can calculate corrections to one component of polar motion, the variation of latitude at McDonald Observatory. Modelling improvements have been applied here and a significant drop is seen in the residuals. The rms weighted residual for the entire thirteen year data span (3,326 'normal' points acquired between August 1969 and May 1982) is 18.7 cm.

Dickey, J. O.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Earth rotation and polar motion - Measurements and implications

Several methods used to measure earth rotation and polar motion are discussed. The development of techniques for combining smoothing, and intercomparing geodetic measurements is described. Emphasis is given to measurements obtained since 1980 using VLBI, lunar laser ranging (LLR) and satellite laser ranging (SLR) techniques. The calculation of atmospheric angular momentum (AAM) excitation functions is outlined, and a comparison of AAM excitation functions with variations in the length of day (LOD) and polar motion data is presented. The geophysical implications of geodetic measurements are addressed.

Dickey, J. O.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Length of day and atmospheric angular momentum - A comparison of 1981-1983

In connection with the availability of observations of increasingly greater accuracy and higher time resolution, studies have been conducted regarding the relationship between the earth's rotation and the angular momentum of its atmosphere. The present paper reports an investigation conducted on the basis of earth rotation values determined during the time from 1981 to 1983 with the aid of very long baseline interferometry (VLBI), lunar laser ranging (LLR), and satellite laser ranging (SLR). The values obtained with the different techniques were compared, and a combined series of length of day (LOD) values were computed. A similar computation procedure was applied to the atmospheric angular momentum (AAM) values of U.S. and European origin to obtain corresponding series of LOD values.

Morgan, P. J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Multi-station lunar laser ranging - An analysis of data quality and earth rotation results

The lunar laser ranging (LLR) results obtained from the MERIT period (Sept. 1983 through Oct. 1984) as well as from the post-MERIT period (Nov. 1, 1984 through Aug. 12, 1985) are presented. The ranging targets on the moon include the Apollo 11, 14, and 15 reflectors and a reflector on Lunokhod 2; the LLR network includes McDonald, Texas; CERGA, France; Haleakala, Hawaii; Orroral, Australia; and Crimea, USSR, stations. Data acquired with these systems are reported, and the data quality is assessed, with particular emphasis on recent ranges. During the MERIT period, sixty-five earth rotation values (UTO) were derived from LLR data, with the best accuracy being 0.25 msec; during the post-MERIT period, 115 determinations of UTO were calculated with the best inherent accuracy of about 0.1 msec. The results are compared with those from other techniques.

Dickey, J. O.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Intercomparison of UT1 measurements during the MERIT campaign period

Universal time (UT1) measurements obtained using VLBI, lunar laser ranging (LLR), and BIH optical astronomy are compared. The JPL Kalman filter for the earth rotation and the polar motion is utilized to smooth one data set or combine data sets for intercomparison. The differences between raw UT1 data and independently smoothed data are employed to assess the accuracy of the measured series and the sufficiency of the error budget. Systematic errors in periodic signatures and length of day estimates are analyzed. The data reveal that the techniques of LLR and VLBI agree to within their formal errors. It is determined that the residual error for the LLR is too large and the residual error estimated for the BIH data is too small.

Spieth, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Determination of Earth rotation by the combination of data from different space geodetic systems

Formerly, Earth Rotation Parameters (ERP), i.e., polar motion and UTI-UTC values, have been determined using data from only one observational system at a time, or by the combination of parameters previously obtained in such determinations. The question arises as to whether a simultaneous solution using data from several sources would provide an improved determination of such parameters. To pursue this reasoning, fifteen days of observations have been simulated using realistic networks of Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR), Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) to Lageos, and Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) stations. A comparison has been done of the accuracy and precision of the ERP obtained from: (1) the individual system solutions, (2) the weighted means of those values, (3) all of the data by means of the combination of the normal equations obtained in 1, and (4) a grand solution with all the data. These simulations show that solutions done by the normal equation combination and grand solution methods provide the best or nearly the best ERP for all the periods considered, but that weighted mean solutions provide nearly the same accuracy and precision. VLBI solutions also provide similar accuracies.

Archinal, Brent Allen↗
NASA NTRS1988

Basic research for the geodynamics program

Additional results are presented concerning a study that considers improvements over present Earth Rotation Parameter (ERP) determination methods by directly combining observations from various space geodetic systems in one adjustment. Earlier results are extended, showing that in addition to slight improvements in accuracy, substantial (a factor of three or more) improvements in precision and significant reductions in correlations between various parameters can be obtained (by combining Lunar Laser Ranging - LLR, Satellite Laser Ranging - SLR to Lageos, and Very Long Baseline Interferometry - VLBI data in one adjustment) as compared to results from individual systems. Smaller improvements are also seen over the weighted means of the individual system results. Although data transmission would not be significantly reduced, negligible additional computer time would be required if (standardized) normal equations were available from individual solutions. Suggestions for future work and implications for the New Earth Rotation Service (IERS) are also presented.

Mueller, Ivan I.↗
NASA NTRS1990

A determination of the radio-planetary frame tie and the DSN tracking station locations

The orientation of the reference frame of radio source catalogs relative to that of planetary ephemerides is uncertain by 30 mas (150 nrad). At this level of uncertainty this orientation offset, or 'frame tie', can be a major systematic error source for interplanetary spacecraft orbit determination. This work presents a method of determining the radio-planetary frame tie from a comparison of Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) and Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) station coordinate and earth orientation parameter estimates. Preliminary results are presented which indicate that accuracies of 5 mas or better may be achieved with this method. An important by-product of this method of frame tie determination is a set of Deep Space Network (DSN) station locations with 10 cm per component accuracy. This station set is in a geocentric coordinate system with known orientation relative to the radio and planetary frames.

Finger, Mark H.↗
NASA NTRS1992

A determination of the radio-planetary frame tie from comparison of Earth orientation parameters

The orientation of the reference frame of radio source catalogs relative to that of planetary ephemerides, or 'frame tie,' can be a major systematic error source for interplanetary spacecraft orbit determination. This work presents a method of determining the radio-planetary frame tie from a comparison of very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) and lunar laser ranging (LLR) station coordinate and earth orientation parameter estimates. A frame tie result is presented with an accuracy of 25 nrad.

Finger, M. H.↗
NASA NTRS1993

NASA space geodesy program: Catalogue of site information

This is the first edition of the NASA Space Geodesy Program: Catalogue of Site Information. This catalogue supersedes all previous versions of the Crustal Dynamics Project: Catalogue of Site Information, last published in May 1989. This document is prepared under the direction of the Space Geodesy and Altimetry Projects Office (SGAPO), Code 920.1, Goddard Space Flight Center. SGAPO has assumed the responsibilities of the Crustal Dynamics Project, which officially ended December 31, 1991. The catalog contains information on all NASA supported sites as well as sites from cooperating international partners. This catalog is designed to provde descriptions and occupation histories of high-accuracy geodetic measuring sites employing space-related techniques. The emphasis of the catalog has been in the past, and continues to be with this edition, station information for facilities and remote locations utilizing the Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR), Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR), and Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) techniques. With the proliferation of high-quality Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers and Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS) transponders, many co-located at established SLR and VLBI observatories, the requirement for accurate station and localized survey information for an ever broadening base of scientists and engineers has been recognized. It is our objective to provide accurate station information to scientific groups interested in these facilities.

Bryant, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Applications of SLR

Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) has a rich history of development which began in the 1960s with 10 meter-level first generation systems. These systems evolved with order of magnitude improvements to the systems that now produce several millimeter single shot range precisions. What began, in part, as an interesting application of the new laser technology has become an essential component of modern, precision space geodesy, which in turn enables contributions to a variety of science areas. Modern space geodesy is the beneficiary of technological developments which have enabled precision geodetic measurements. Aside from SLR and its closely related technique, Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR), Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) has made prominent science contributions also. In recent years, the Global Positioning System (GPS) has demonstrated a rapidly growing popularity as the result of demonstrated low cost with high precision instrumentation. Other modern techniques such as DORIS have demonstrated the ability to make significant science contributions; furthermore, PRARE can be expected to contribute in its own right. An appropriate question is 'why should several techniques be financially supported'? While there are several answers, I offer the opinion that, in consideration of the broad science areas that are the benefactors of space geodesy, no single technique can meet all the requirements and/or expectations of the science areas in which space geodesy contributes or has the potential for contributing. The more well-known science areas include plate tectonics, earthquake processes, Earth rotation/orientation, gravity (static and temporal), ocean circulation, land, and ice topography, to name a few applications. It is unfortunate that the modern space geodesy techniques are often viewed as competitive, but this view is usually encouraged by funding competition, especially in an era of growing needs but diminishing budgets. The techniques are, for the most part, complementary and the ability to reduce the data to geodetic parameters from several techniques promotes confidence in the geophysical interpretations. In the following sections, the current SLR applications are reviewed in the context of the other techniques. The strengths and limitations of SLR are reviewed and speculation about the future prospects are offered.

Schutz, Bob E.↗