A new tracking mode for improved Martian gravity field measurement

作者：Yan, Jianguo; Yang, Xuan; Hao, Weifeng^*; Ye, Mao; Li, Fei; Qu, Chunkai; Deng, Qingyun; Jin, Weitong; Barriot, Jean-Pierre

来源：Astrophysics and Space Science, 2017, 362(12): 236.

DOI：10.1007/s10509-017-3214-9

• Martian gravity field
• SBI tracking mode
• Chinese Mars exploration mission
• Model accuracy

The Martian gravity field has been improved significantly in terms of resolution, with the spatial resolution rising to 100 km and accuracy increasing up to the 110 degree and order, assisted by data collected in Mars exploration missions like MGS, MRO, and Odyssey. However, as the tracking data used for the Martian gravity field solution are from polar orbit at a low height (similar to 400 km), improvements in the low degree coefficients are possible with high orbiters and various inclinations. In our research, we simulate a future Chinese Mars mission, making use of its orbit, to investigate potential contributions to the Martian gravity field solution. As the Chinese Mars mission will include a lander, we investigate the same beam interferometry tracking mode for a more precise and accurate Martian gravity field solution. Our results show that this tracking mode will substantially improve the gravity field model accuracy in comparison with those models using only polar orbit data. Model accuracy is assessed by power spectrum analysis and precise orbit determination. All the simulation work are accomplished with our independent developed software. Our research will be a reference for the first Chinese Mars exploration mission.

• 出版日期2017-12
• 单位武汉大学