Combination of GNSS, VLBI and SLR data for consistent estimation of Earth Rotation Parameters

We present the current activities of the Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG) towards a combined processing of VLBI, GNSS and SLR data. The main goal of the combined analyses of the three different space-geodetic techniques is the improvement of the consistency between the techniques through common parameters, i.e., mainly Earth Rotation Parameters (ERPs). The combination is based on homogenized, datum-free NEQs which allow a rigorous combination on the normal equation level instead of the observation level.

Based on our previous combination studies using GNSS data and VLBI Intensive sessions on a daily and multi-day level, we generate a consistent, low-latency ERP time series with a regular daily resolution for polar motion and dUT1. We achieved in this way a significant accuracy improvement of the dUT1 time series and a slight improvement of the pole coordinates time series, comparing ERPs from the combined processing with the individual technique-specific ERPs.

In the second step, we extend the multi-day combination of GNSS and VLBI Intensive sessions by adding VLBI 24-hour sessions. The additional combination with VLBI R1/R4 data further stabilizes all ERPs twice per week and enables the estimation of high-precision ERP time series with a latency of about two weeks. With this combination approach, we obtained a further improvement in the dUT1 time series. For the pole coordinates time series, the accuracy of the estimates is almost at the same level as for the rapid combined solution.

In our recent studies, we want to investigate improvements in the representation of the ERP parameters of the VLBI 24-hour sessions. Furthermore, we want to extend the combination of GNSS and VLBI data by adding SLR sessions in order to exploit the benefit of the combination to its maximum extend. We expect that SLR improves the combined ERP solution in particular through a stable contribution of LOD. We analyse the impact of the combination on the global parameters of interest, i.e., mainly dUT1, polar motion and LOD, but also on station coordinates.

Based on the improved combination method, we intent to set up a new operational BKG-ERP product.