Dayside Upper-Thermospheric Density Fluctuations as Observed by GRACE and GRACE-FO at ∼500 km Height

We statistically investigate fluctuation amplitudes (normalized to the background values) of dayside low-/mid-latitude upper-thermospheric mass density as observed by the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and GRACE-Follow-On (GRACE-FO) spacecraft at ∼500 km altitude between 2002 and 2022. There are three new findings in our...

Calibration and validation of individual GOCE accelerometers by precise orbit determination

The European Space Agency Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circular Explorer (GOCE) carries a gradiometer consisting of three pairs of accelerometers in an orthogonal triad. Precise GOCE science orbit solutions (PSO), which are based on satellite-to-satellite tracking observations by the Global Positioning System and which are claimed to be...

GPS-based precise orbit determination and accelerometry for low flying satellites

Atmospheric density models are currently the limiting factor in the accuracy of the dynamic orbit determination and prediction of satellites in a low Earth orbit. Any improvement in these models would greatly aid in applications such as re-entry prediction, ground-track maintenance of Earth observation satellites and forecast of possible...