GSS611 Concept of Satellite Geodesy

Mohamad Asrul bin Mustafar
[email protected]
(Centre of Studies for Surveying Science & Geomatics)
What is Geodesy??
According to Helmert 1880

“ Geodesy is the science of the measurement and mapping of the
earth’s surface ”
Committee of geodesy 1973

“Geodesy is the discipline that deals with the measurement &
representation of the earth including its gravity field in
a three dimensional time varying space”
What is Geodesy??
By observation and measurement, the size and shape of

the earth, the coordinates of points, the lengths and
directions of lines on the earth surface, and the
variations of terrestrial gravity – produce maps.
Involved computations – Applied Mathematics

Geodesy and other Disciplines
 There is no real distinction between geodesy and surveying.
 Surveying is the practice of positioning, while geodesy is the
theoretical foundation of surveying (Vanicek & Krakiwsky,
1992)
 Geodesy also provides a substantial contribution in other
disciplines such as:
1. Engineering Projects
2. Boundary Demarcation
3. Ecology
4. Environmental Management
5. Geography
6. Hydrography
Geodesy and other
Disciplines
Component of Geodesy
Geodesy can be divided into four important component:
1) Geometrical geodesy
• Concerns in size and shape of the earth
• Concerned with the three dimensional geometrical
elements of the mathematical model of the earth
• Intercontinental ties between land masses
• Determination of positions, distances and azimuth
2) Physical geodesy
• Concerned with determining the Earth’s gravity field,
mainly for establishing height
3) Geodetic astronomy
• Chronicles the changing position of stars and other
celestial objects.
4) Satellite geodesy
• Artificial satellite which deals with the measurement
of the dimensions of the Earth, the location of objects
on its surface and the figure of the Earth's gravity
field, and measurement of geodynamics
Satellite Geodesy
 Satellite geodesy comprises the observational and
computational techniques which allow the solution of
geodetic problem
 The main goals of satellite geodesy are:
1. Determination of precise global, regional and
local three-dimensional position
(e.g. establishment geodetic control point)
2. Determination of Earth’s gravity field and linear
function of this field (e.g. precise geoid)
3. Measurement and modelling of geodynamical
phenomena (e.g. polar motion, earth rotation,
crustal deformation)
Satellite Geodesy
 Satellite (natural or artificial) , have made global surveys a realistic
objective:
i. Oceans can be spanned to connect continents
ii. Geodetic position can be determined directly on global datum
 Path of the natural satellite such as moon, sun , planets and stars are
function of the observers position on earth
 Sun observation to determine azimuth and to determine position on
the earth
 Celestial navigation- the art and science of
finding our way by the sun, moon, stars, and
planets, and, in one form or another- one of
the oldest practices in human history
Satellite Geodesy
Artificial satellites
 Artificial (man made) satellites are observation are

made electronically or optically
 Measure range, range rate or direction from the
observer to the satellite
 Produce :
i. Relative position among observing sensors
ii. Sensor position
iii. Definition of satellite orbit
 Different from natural/ordinary satellite due to :
i. Orbit much closer to the earth then the orbit of any planet
with respect to its primary
o Motion of artificial satellite is significantly affected by the earth’s
gravitational field and by its temporal variation (e.g tide)
o Enable determination of parameters that defines this field,
which will yield information on the shape, mass distribution and
dynamic behavior of the earth
ii. It moves, at least partially, in an atmosphere while the
natural satellite practically in vacum- enable the determination
of the atmospheric structure and its behavior
iii. Affected by other phenomenon , such as attraction of the
sun and the moon, solar radiation pressure, lunar and solar
tidal distortion and etc - effect are relatively minor, but cannot
be neglected
Current techniques
1. Earth to Space methods
 satellite laser ranging (SLR),
 Doppler positioning (TRANSIT, DORIS), and
 geodetic use of the Global Positioning System
(GPS,GLONASS, future GNSS).
2. Space to Earth methods
 radar altimetry,
 spaceborne laser, and
 satellite gradiometry.
3. Space to Space methods
 satellite-to-satellite tracking (SST).
Applications of Satellite Geodesy
Global Geodesy
− general shape of Earth’s figure and gravity field,
− dimensions of a mean Earth ellipsoid,
− establishment of a global terrestrial reference frame,
− detailed geoid as a reference surface on land and at sea,
− connection between different existing geodetic datums, and
− connection of national datums with a global geodetic datum.
Geodetic Control
− establishment of geodetic control for national networks,
− installation of three-dimensional homogeneous networks,
− analysis and improvement of existing terrestrial networks,
− establishment of geodetic connections between islands or with the
mainland,
− densification of existing networks up to short interstation distances.
Geodynamics
− control points for crustal motion,
− permanent arrays for 3D-control in active areas,
− polar motion, Earth rotation, and
− solid Earth tides.
Applied and Plane Geodesy

− detailed plane surveying (land register, urban and rural surveying, geographic
information systems (GIS), town planning, boundary demarcation etc.),
− installation of special networks and control for engineering tasks,
− terrestrial control points in photogrammetry and remote sensing,
− position and orientation of airborne sensors like photogrammetric cameras,
− control and position information at different accuracy levels in forestry,
agriculture, archaeology, expedition cartography etc.
Navigation and Marine Geodesy
− precise navigation of land-, sea-, and air-vehicles,
− precise positioning for marine mapping, exploration, hydrography,
oceanography,
marine geology, and geophysics,
− connection and control of tide gauges (unification of height systems).
Related Fields
− position and velocity determination for geophysical observations (gravimetric,
magnetic, seismic surveys), also at sea and in the air,
− determination of ice motion in glaciology, Antarctic research, oceanography,
− determination of satellite orbits, and
− tomography of the atmosphere (ionosphere, troposphere).
Purpose of Satellite Observation
1. Scientific Purpose
a) Dynamic Purpose
b) Geometric Purpose
2. Operational Purpose
1. Scientific Purpose
 Scientific purpose of satellite observation can be further break
down into two categories:
a) Dynamic purpose
-To observe positions and motions of satellite as a function of
time, with sufficient accuracy
-To predicting future positions of the satellites , at least as
accurately as they can be observed
- Requires precise knowledge of physical parameters that
defines the force filed in which the satellite moves (orbit) and
accurate geocentric position of observer
- enable :
i) Position of satellite to be computed at any time
ii) Predicted satellite position to be estimated using least square
adjustment procedure
iii) Correction to the assumed parameters and stations
coordinates due to the differences between actual and
predicted orbit, calculated using least square adjustment
procedure
b) Geometric purpose
- To observe positions of satellites from several stations of known
and unknown positions simultaneously for determining the
relative position of the stations (and satellite)
- For this purpose, satellite is regarded as observational target
and observation is often carried out in two ways:
i. Orbital method
ii. Stellar Triangulation/Trilateration
i. Orbital method: Satellite is observed in its orbits from several stations of
assumed position. The observation results are then compared with the
computed (predicted) satellite position, which are based on assumed or
known orbital paramtes and station coordinates. From the differences,
corrections to the assumed parameters or to the coordinates, or both may
be calculated by simulteneous or least square adjustment. Discepencies
are useful to improve the force function, the initial conditions, or the station
position of the observer.
ii. Stellar (space) triangulation/trilateration: Satellite is used as a
triangulation mark in space, which is simulteneous observed (by
measuring directions or distances or both) from station of known and
unknown positions. From observations at known stations, the position of
the satellite is determined at the instant of the observation. The
observation at the unknown station to the known (determined) position of
the satellite will yield the position of the observer.
Position Determination
• Determined station position is useful for:

 Strengthening satellite-tracking network establish for
dynamic application
 Providing connections between geodetic datum,
separated by large distance
 Determining distortions within geodetic datum
 Detecting motions between stations due to
geodynamics phenomena
2. Operational purpose
 Operational purpose of satellite observation is to meet the
operational needs of the satellite, i.e.
a. For regular surveillance of the satellite and to keep the orbital
data up to date
b. Guiding and controlling the direction of the transmitting or
telemetry antenna of the satellite
Before studying the dynamic and geometric methods in scientific

purpose of satellite geodesy can be achieved, it is necessary to
study the orbit of the satellite

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Mohamad Asrul bin Mustafar

According to Helmert 1880

Committee of geodesy 1973

By observation and measurement, the size and shape of

Involved computations – Applied Mathematics

 Artificial (man made) satellites are observation are

Applied and Plane Geodesy

• Determined station position is useful for:

Before studying the dynamic and geometric methods in scientific

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