Satellite laser ranging measurements in South Africa: Contributions to earth system sciences
This contribution reassesses progress in the development of satellite laser ranging (SLR) technology and its scientific and societal applications in South Africa. We first highlight the current global SLR tracking stations within the framework of the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) and th...
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doaj-b83c6a0e1e61456c8314884954a62a642020-11-24T23:05:55ZengAcademy of Science of South AfricaSouth African Journal of Science1996-74892015-03-011113/41910.17159/sajs.2015/201301933553Satellite laser ranging measurements in South Africa: Contributions to earth system sciencesChristina M. Botai0Ludwig Combrinck1Joel O. Botai2South African Weather Service, Pretoria, South Africa2 Space Geodesy, Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory, Krugersdorp, South Africa 3 Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South AfricaDepartment of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South AfricaThis contribution reassesses progress in the development of satellite laser ranging (SLR) technology and its scientific and societal applications in South Africa. We first highlight the current global SLR tracking stations within the framework of the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) and the artificial satellites currently being tracked by these stations. In particular, the present work focuses on analysing SLR measurements at Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO), South Africa, based on the MOBLAS-6 SLR configuration. Generally, there is a weak geometry of ILRS stations in the southern hemisphere and the SLR tracking station at HartRAO is the only active ILRS station operating on the African continent. The SLR-derived products – such as station positions and velocities, satellite orbits, components of earth’s gravity field and their temporal variations, earth orientation parameters – are collected, merged, achieved and distributed by the ILRS under the Crustal Dynamic Data Information System. These products are used in various research fields such as detection and monitoring of tectonic plate motion, crustal deformation, earth rotation, polar motion, and the establishment and monitoring of International Terrestrial Reference Frames, as well as modelling of the spatio-temporal variations of the earth’s gravity field. The MOBLAS-6 tracking station is collocated with other geodetic techniques such as very long baseline interferometry and Global Navigation Satellite Systems, thus making this observatory a fiducial geodetic location. Some applications of the SLR data products are described within the context of earth system science.https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/3553space geodesysatellite laser rangingprecise orbit determinationInternational Laser Ranging Serviceearth sciences |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Christina M. Botai Ludwig Combrinck Joel O. Botai |
spellingShingle |
Christina M. Botai Ludwig Combrinck Joel O. Botai Satellite laser ranging measurements in South Africa: Contributions to earth system sciences South African Journal of Science space geodesy satellite laser ranging precise orbit determination International Laser Ranging Service earth sciences |
author_facet |
Christina M. Botai Ludwig Combrinck Joel O. Botai |
author_sort |
Christina M. Botai |
title |
Satellite laser ranging measurements in South Africa: Contributions to earth system sciences |
title_short |
Satellite laser ranging measurements in South Africa: Contributions to earth system sciences |
title_full |
Satellite laser ranging measurements in South Africa: Contributions to earth system sciences |
title_fullStr |
Satellite laser ranging measurements in South Africa: Contributions to earth system sciences |
title_full_unstemmed |
Satellite laser ranging measurements in South Africa: Contributions to earth system sciences |
title_sort |
satellite laser ranging measurements in south africa: contributions to earth system sciences |
publisher |
Academy of Science of South Africa |
series |
South African Journal of Science |
issn |
1996-7489 |
publishDate |
2015-03-01 |
description |
This contribution reassesses progress in the development of satellite laser ranging (SLR) technology and its scientific and societal applications in South Africa. We first highlight the current global SLR tracking stations within the framework of the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) and the artificial satellites currently being tracked by these stations. In particular, the present work focuses on analysing SLR measurements at Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO), South Africa, based on the MOBLAS-6 SLR configuration. Generally, there is a weak geometry of ILRS stations in the southern hemisphere and the SLR tracking station at HartRAO is the only active ILRS station operating on the African continent. The SLR-derived products – such as station positions and velocities, satellite orbits, components of earth’s gravity field and their temporal variations, earth orientation parameters – are collected, merged, achieved and distributed by the ILRS under the Crustal Dynamic Data Information System. These products are used in various research fields such as detection and monitoring of tectonic plate motion, crustal deformation, earth rotation, polar motion, and the establishment and monitoring of International Terrestrial Reference Frames, as well as modelling of the spatio-temporal variations of the earth’s gravity field. The MOBLAS-6 tracking station is collocated with other geodetic techniques such as very long baseline interferometry and Global Navigation Satellite Systems, thus making this observatory a fiducial geodetic location. Some applications of the SLR data products are described within the context of earth system science. |
topic |
space geodesy satellite laser ranging precise orbit determination International Laser Ranging Service earth sciences |
url |
https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/3553 |
work_keys_str_mv |
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