How to reach a few percent level in determining the Lense-Thirring effect?

In this paper we discuss and compare a node-only LAGEOS-LAGEOS II combination and a node-only LAGEOS-LAGEOS II-Ajisai-Jason1 combination for the determination of the Lense-Thirring effect. The new combined EIGEN-CG01C Earth gravity model has been adopted. The second combination cancels the first three even zonal harmonics along with their secular variations but introduces the non-gravitational perturbations of Jason1. The first combination is less sensitive to the non-conservative forces but is sensitive to the secular variations of the uncancelled even zonal harmonics of low degree J4 and J6 whose impact grows linearly in time.Comment: Latex2e, 22 pag. 1 table, 2 figures, 45 references. Changes in the Abstract, Introduction and Conclusions. Discussion on the non-gravitational perturbations on Ajisai and on the impact of the secular rates of the even zonal harmonics added. EIGEN-CG01C CHAMP+GRACE+terrestrial gravimetry/altimetry Earth gravity model used. Reference adde

Leveling the Sea Surface using a GPS-Catamaran

Marine Geodesy, v. 26, n. 3-4, p. 319-334, Special Issue on Calibration/Validation, 2003. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/714044524International audienc

Calibrating the Jason-1 Measurement system : initial results from the Corsica and Harvest Verification Experiments

Advances in Space Research, v. 32, n. 11, p. 2135-214, 2003. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0273-1177(03)90534-5International audienc