AAS 95-311

Earth Gravitational Model Error Budget for Space Control

W. N. Barker, R. N. Wallner, and S. J. Casali, Kaman Sciences Corporation, Colorado Springs, CO

Abstract

An Earth gravitational model error budget for space control missions has been established using mission-essential orbits at all altitudes. Theoretical and numerical assessments have been performed for both orbit determination and prediction accuracy, and with and without other major perturbing forces for the World Geodetic System 1972 (WGS-72), WGS-84, NASA Joint Gravity Model 2 (JGM2), and Point Mass Geopotential Theory Earth gravity models. The satellites studies represent a cross-section of the satellites currently in Earth orbit, with special attention paid to mission-essential orbits.