Millimeter-accuracy SLR bias determination using independent multi-LEO DORIS and GNSS-based orbits

Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR), i.e., the optical distance measurement to satellites equipped with laser retro-reflectors, has become an invaluable core technique in numerous geodetic applications. For instance, SLR measurements to spherical geodetic satellites, such as LAGEOS-1/2 or Etalon-1/2, form an essential contribution for the determination of geocenter coordinates and global scale in the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) realizations.

SLR measurements to active satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) are, on the other hand, up to now mostly used for an independent validation of orbit solutions, usually derived by microwave tracking techniques based on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) or Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS). This allows for the analysis of systematic orbit errors (e.g., originating from poorly known satellite center of mass locations or sensor offsets) not only in radial direction, but in three dimensions. A high level of radial orbit reliability is, e.g., key to satellite altimetry applications.

For many of these geodetic SLR applications a mm accuracy and 0.1 mm/year stability is required or at least desired. Unavoidable SLR station biases are a major error source and obstacle to reach the aforementioned accuracy and stability goals. Among the stations of the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) there is a large diversity of biases and measurement qualities, and the calibration of these biases for all stations is key to further exploit SLR data for present and future geodetic applications.

In this presentation we demonstrate that the analysis of SLR data to active LEO satellites equipped with GNSS or DORIS receivers is a promising means to analyze SLR biases and their stability. Using three independent selections of Earth observation missions in LEOs with three different SLR analysis software packages (Bernese GNSS Software, Zoom, Napeos), we estimate SLR range biases for all involved tracking stations on a yearly basis. We find that for many of the stations the three independently estimated sets of biases agree on a few-mm level and that the inclusion of satellites from multiple missions allows to render the bias estimation more robust and in particular less prone to geographically correlated orbit errors. This shows that microwave-derived orbits of active LEO satellites, nowadays of very high quality due to numerous advances in modeling and analysis techniques, can serve as interesting sources for SLR station calibration in demanding geodetic applications like, e.g., future ITRF realizations.