Benchmark data for verifying background model implementations in orbit and gravity field determination software

authored by: Martin Lasser, Ulrich Meyer, Adrian Jäggi, Torsten Mayer-Gürr, Andreas Kvas, Karl Hans Neumayer, Christoph Dahle, Frank Flechtner, Jean Michel Lemoine, Igor Koch, Matthias Weigelt, Jakob Flury
Abstract: In the framework of the COmbination Service for Time-variable Gravity fields (COST-G) gravity field solutions from different analysis centres are combined to provide a consolidated solution of improved quality and robustness to the user. As in many other satellite-related sciences, the correct application of background models plays a crucial role in gravity field determination. Therefore, we publish a set of data of various commonly used forces in orbit and gravity field modelling (Earth's gravity field, tides etc.) evaluated along a one day orbit arc of GRACE, together with auxiliary data to enable easy comparisons. The benchmark data is compiled with the GROOPS software by the Institute of Geodesy (IfG) at Graz University of Technology. It is intended to be used as a reference data set and provides the opportunity to test the implementation of these models at various institutions involved in orbit and gravity field determination from satellite tracking data. In view of the COST-G GRACE and GRACE Follow-On gravity field combinations, we document the outcome of the comparison of the background force models for the Bernese GNSS software from AIUB (Astronomical Institute, University of Bern), the EPOS software of the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), the GINS software, developed and maintained by the Groupe de Recherche de Géodésie Spatiale (GRGS), the GRACE-SIGMA software of the Leibniz University of Hannover (LUH) and the GRASP software also developed at LUH.We consider differences in the force modelling for GRACE (-FO) which are one order of magnitude smaller than the accelerometer noise of about 10-10 ms-2 to be negligible and formulate this as a benchmark for new analysis centres, which are interested to contribute to the COST-G initiative.
Organisation(s): Institute of Geodesy
External Organisation(s): University of Bern
Graz University of Technology
Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - German Research Centre for Geosciences
Centre national d’études spatiales (CNES)
Type: Article
Journal: Advances in Geosciences
Volume: 55
Pages: 1-11
No. of pages: 11
ISSN: 1680-7340
Publication date: 17.12.2020
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous), Space and Planetary Science
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-55-1-2020 (Access: Open)
: Details in the research portal "Research@Leibniz University"

BibTeX

@article{9cc1f99470ee46678dc9bf71ee42466e,
title = "Benchmark data for verifying background model implementations in orbit and gravity field determination software",
abstract = "In the framework of the COmbination Service for Time-variable Gravity fields (COST-G) gravity field solutions from different analysis centres are combined to provide a consolidated solution of improved quality and robustness to the user. As in many other satellite-related sciences, the correct application of background models plays a crucial role in gravity field determination. Therefore, we publish a set of data of various commonly used forces in orbit and gravity field modelling (Earth's gravity field, tides etc.) evaluated along a one day orbit arc of GRACE, together with auxiliary data to enable easy comparisons. The benchmark data is compiled with the GROOPS software by the Institute of Geodesy (IfG) at Graz University of Technology. It is intended to be used as a reference data set and provides the opportunity to test the implementation of these models at various institutions involved in orbit and gravity field determination from satellite tracking data. In view of the COST-G GRACE and GRACE Follow-On gravity field combinations, we document the outcome of the comparison of the background force models for the Bernese GNSS software from AIUB (Astronomical Institute, University of Bern), the EPOS software of the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), the GINS software, developed and maintained by the Groupe de Recherche de G{\'e}od{\'e}sie Spatiale (GRGS), the GRACE-SIGMA software of the Leibniz University of Hannover (LUH) and the GRASP software also developed at LUH.We consider differences in the force modelling for GRACE (-FO) which are one order of magnitude smaller than the accelerometer noise of about 10-10 ms-2 to be negligible and formulate this as a benchmark for new analysis centres, which are interested to contribute to the COST-G initiative.",
author = "Martin Lasser and Ulrich Meyer and Adrian J{\"a}ggi and Torsten Mayer-G{\"u}rr and Andreas Kvas and Neumayer, {Karl Hans} and Christoph Dahle and Frank Flechtner and Lemoine, {Jean Michel} and Igor Koch and Matthias Weigelt and Jakob Flury",
note = "Funding Information: Financial support. This research has been supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) (grant no. 200021_175942). Acknowledgments: he study was performed in the framework of COST-G and the corresponding international team that is receiv-ing support from the International Space Science Institute (ISSI) in Bern, Switzerland. ",
year = "2020",
month = dec,
day = "17",
doi = "10.5194/adgeo-55-1-2020",
language = "English",
volume = "55",
pages = "1--11",
journal = "Advances in Geosciences",
issn = "1680-7340",
publisher = "European Geosciences Union",
}