Satellite Observations by Radio Telescopes for Superior Reference Frame Interconnections (SORTS)

通过射电望远镜进行的卫星观测有可能极大地改善国际天体参考框架（ICRF）与河外射电源和卫星轨道之间的框架联系，这些框架是由超长基线干涉（VLBI）观测实现的，动态地实现了天体框架。与此同时，作为VLBI和卫星大地测量观测的多技术解决方案的国际地面参考系（ITRF）的一致性将大大受益，否则它将完全依赖于在同一地点的地面观测点进行局部联系测量。准确的框架联系是空间精确导航的基础，也是观测海平面上升和其他全球地球动力过程的先决条件。在sort项目中，我们涵盖了对专用于此类空间联系项目的卫星实现和分析类似vlbi的观测所必需的所有技术方面。现在是这样一个项目的最佳时间框架，因为携带VLBI转发器，激光反射器和GNSS（全球导航卫星系统）接收器（如GRASP或MicroGEM）的卫星的建议接近被接受。在项目中，我们将在信噪比和群延迟和相位延迟的投影精度方面研究噪声与调制信号的应用。接下来，我们将建立一个完全现实的调度工具，考虑到所有站和源特定的限制，如回转率和集成时间，我们将缩小从调度到使用射电望远镜进行卫星实际观测的所有差距，允许自动化程序。将特别强调对类星体和卫星交替观测的联合时间表。为了产生从射电望远镜观测到近地轨道卫星的群和相位延迟，我们将调整相关软件中的所有模型。最后，我们将扩展现有的大地测量分析软件，以实现类星体和卫星观测的最佳结合。有了这个软件，我们将使用真实的模拟观测来确定各种类型的射电望远镜观测的轨道弧，我们将运行一系列蒙特卡罗模拟，为调度等处理链的早期步骤提供反馈，并评估对帧关系的影响。该项目是维也纳理工大学和波恩大学的合作项目，双方优势互补。此外，通过与位于德国Wettzell和瑞典Onsala的VLBI站的合作伙伴密切合作，我们将能够在非常早期的阶段就通过实际观测来验证我们的发展，例如对GNSS卫星的VLBI观测。

Satellite observations by radio telescopes have the potential to dramatically improve the frame ties between the International Celestial Reference Frame (ICRF) realized with Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) observations to extragalactic radio sources and satellite orbits realizing celestial frames dynamically. At the same time, the consistency of the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) as a multi-technique solution from VLBI and satellite geodesy observations will benefit substantially, which otherwise solely relies on local tie measurements at co-located terrestrial observing sites. Accurate frame ties are fundamental for precise navigation in space and are a prerequisite for the observation of sea level rise and other global geodynamic processes.In project SORTS, we cover all technical aspects which are necessary for the realization and analysis of VLBI-like observations to satellites dedicated to such space-tie projects. Now is the optimal time frame for such a project because proposals for satellites which carry a VLBI transponder, laser reflectors and a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) receiver like GRASP or MicroGEM are close to acceptance. In project SORTS, we will investigate the application of noise versus modulated signals in terms of signal-to-noise ratio and projected precision of group and phase delays. Next, we will set up a fully realistic scheduling tool taking into account all station- and source-specific restrictions like slewing rates and integration times and we will close all gaps from scheduling to the actual observations of satellites with radio telescopes allowing for automated procedures. Particular emphasis will be put on joint schedules with alternate observations to quasars and satellites. To generate group and phase delays from the observations by radio telescopes to satellites at low Earth orbits, we will adapt all models in the correlation software. Finally, we will expand existing geodetic analysis software for the purpose of optimally combining quasar and satellite observations. With this software, we will use realistically simulated observations to determine orbital arcs from various types of radio telescope observations and we will run series of Monte-Carlo simulations to provide feedback to earlier steps in the processing chain like the scheduling and to assess the impact on the frames ties. Project SORTS is a joint endeavor of the Vienna University of Technology and the University of Bonn with the strengths of both groups greatly complementing each other. Furthermore, in close co-operation with partners at the VLBI stations at Wettzell in Germany and Onsala in Sweden, we will be able to validate our developments with real observations already at a very early stage, for example with VLBI observations to GNSS satellites.