On the initialization of the sensitivity matrix in variational equations

Journal of Geodesy - Tập 97 - Trang 1-10 - 2023
Dennis Milbert1, Christopher Jekeli2
1National Geodetic Survey, NOAA, Silver Spring, MD, USA
2Division of Geodetic Science, School of Earth Sciences, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA

Tóm tắt

We address a claim frequently raised by one author that determination of Earth’s gravity field by satellite observations using traditional methods is mathematically flawed. Specifically, attention is drawn to the practice of setting to zero the initial sensitivity matrix in the variational equations for force model parameters. It is asserted that this would lead to mathematical contradictions. In this paper we establish necessary and sufficient conditions for the initial sensitivity matrix to be zero—conditions that are well founded and accepted worldwide in classical satellite-based determinations of the gravity field. To claim otherwise is shown to be without basis. We inspect a proposed counterexample, and find it, too, requires zero initialization of the sensitivity matrix. In addition, we review proofs and derivations from a classic textbook that also confirm zero initialization. In a numerical exercise, perfect, synthetic data for the central force problem are processed with standard procedures, and results confirm the validity of zero initialization of the sensitivity matrix.

Tài liệu tham khảo

Beutler G (2005) Methods of celestial mechanics. Springer-Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/b138225 Blanchard P, Devaney RL, Hall GR (2012) Differential equations, 4th edn. Brooks/Cole, Boston, MA, p 834 Coddington EA, Levinson N (1955) Theory of ordinary differential equations. McGraw-Hill Inc., New York Jäggi A, Arnold D (2017) Precise Orbit Determination. In: Naeimi M, Flury J (eds) Global Gravity Field Modeling From Satellite-to-Satellite Tracking Data. Springer International Publishing, Cham, pp 35–80. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49941-3_2 Montenbruck O, Gill E (2000) Satellite orbits: models. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Methods, Applications. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-58351-3 Shampine LF, Watts HA (1980) DEPAC – design of a user oriented package of ODE solvers. Report SAND79-2374. Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, p 88 Xu P (2009) Zero initial partial derivatives of satellite orbits with respect to force parameters violate the physics of motion of celestial bodies. Sci China Ser D 52:562–566. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-009-0049-4 Xu P (2015) Zero initial partial derivatives of satellite orbits with respect to force parameters nullify the mathematical basis of the numerical integration method for the determination of standard gravity models from space geodetic measurements. Geophys Res Abstract 17:EGU2015 Xu P (2018) Measurement-based perturbation theory and differential equation parameter estimation with applications to satellite gravimetry. Commun Nonlinear Sci Numer Simulat 59:515–543. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnsns.2017.11.021 Xu P (2021) Reconstruction of mathematical foundations for satellite gravimetry from tracking: solutions to problems incorrectly solved for 100 years. IAG 2021 Abstract Book, Scientific Assembly of the International Association of Geodesy, Beijing, June 28-July 2, 2021.