Robust estimation of systematic errors of satellite laser range

Methods for analyzing laser-ranging residuals to estimate station-dependent systematic errors and to eliminate outliers in satellite laser ranges are discussed. A robust estimator based on an M-estimation principle is introduced. A practical calculation procedure which provides a robust criterion with high breakdown point and produces robust initial residuals for following iterative robust estimation is presented. Comparison of the results from the least-squares method with those of the robust method shows that the results of the station systematic errors from the robust estimator are more reliable.