1 research outputs found
RadioAstron as a target and as an instrument: Enhancing the Space VLBI mission's scientific output
The accuracy of orbit determination has a strong impact on the scientific
output of the Space VLBI mission RadioAstron. The aim of this work is to
improve the RadioAstron orbit reconstruction by means of sophisticated
dynamical modelling of its motion in combination with multi-station Doppler
tracking of the RadioAstron spacecraft. The improved orbital solution is
demonstrated using Doppler measurements of the RadioAstron downlink signal and
by correlating VLBI observations made by RadioAstron with ground-based
telescopes using the enhanced orbit determination data. Orbit determination
accuracy has been significantly improved from ~ 600 m in 3D position and ~ 2
cm/s in 3D velocity to several tens of metres and mm/s, respectively.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures. Astronomy and Astrophysics, accepte