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Preliminary solutions for the lunar gravity field from analysis of lunar orbiter tracking dataKnowledge of the gravitation field, in combination with surface topography, provides one of the principal means of inferring the internal structure of a planetary body. Previous analyses of the lunar gravitational field have been based on data from the Lunar Orbiters, the Apollo subsatellites, and the low altitude passes of the Apollo spacecraft. Recently, Konopliv et al. have reanalyzed all available Lunar Orbiter and Apollo subsatellite tracking data, producing a 60th degree and order solution. In preparation for the Clementine Mission to the Moon, we have also initiated a reanalysis of the Lunar Orbiter and Apollo subsatellite data. Our reanalysis takes advantage of advanced force and measurement modeling techniques as well as modern computational facilities. We applied the least squares collocation technique which stabilizes the behavior of the solution and high degree and order. The extension of the size of the field reduces the aliasing coming from the omitted portion of the gravitational field. This is especially important for the analysis of the tracking data from the Lunar Orbiters, as the periapse heights frequently ranged from 50 to 100 km.
Document ID
19940031649
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Lemoine, F. G. (Maryland Univ. College Park, MD., United States)
Smith, D. E. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Zuber, M. T. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Rowlands, D. D. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Fricke, S. K. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: Lunar and Planetary Inst., The Twenty-Fifth Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Part 2: H-O
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
94N36156
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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