Laser-based validation of GLONASS orbits by short-arc technique

The International GLONASS Experiment (IGEX-98) was carried out between 19 October 1998 and 19 April 1999. Among several objectives was the precise orbit determination of GPS and GLONASS satellites and its validation by laser ranging observations. Local laser-based orbit corrections (radial, tangential and normal components in a rotating orbital local reference frame) are computed using a geometrical short-arc technique. The order of magnitude of these corrections is at the level of few decimeters, depending on the considered components. The orbit corrections are analyzed as a function of several parameters (date, orbital plane, geographical area). The mean corrections are at the level of several centimeters. However, when averaging over the entire campaign and for all the satellites, no mean radial, tangential and normal orbit corrections are found. The origin of the observed corrections is considered (errors due to the geocentric gravitational constant, the non-gravitational forces, the thermal equilibrium of on-board equipment, the reference systems, the location and the signature of the retroreflector array, and the precision of the satellite laser ranges). Some features are also due to errors in the radio-tracking GLONASS orbits. Further investigations will be needed to better understand the origin of various biases.