Planetary Radio Interferometry and Doppler Experiment (PRIDE) technique

A test case of the Mars Express Phobos fly-by

Journal article (2016)

Authors

D. A. Duev Joint Institute for VLBI ERIC, California Institute of Technology, Moscow State University
S. V. Pogrebenko Joint Institute for VLBI ERIC
J-C Marty CNES Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales
V Lainey IMCCE-Obs de Paris
P Vicente Observatorio de Yebes (IGN)
J Quick Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory
M. Nickola Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory
A. Neidhardt Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy
G Kronschnabl Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy
C. Ploetz Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy
R Haas Onsala Space Observatory
Maria Lindqvist Onsala Space Observatory
G Cimo Joint Institute for VLBI ERIC, Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON)
A. Orlati Radio Observatory Medicina
A. V. Ipatov Russian Academy of Sciences
M. A. Kharinov Russian Academy of Sciences
A. G. Mikhailov Russian Academy of Sciences
J. E J Lovell University of Tasmania
J. N. McCallum University of Tasmania
R.J.A.M. Stevens Australia Telescope National Facility
S. A. Gulyaev Auckland University of Technology
T. Natush Auckland University of Technology
S. Weston Auckland University of Technology
G Molera Calves Joint Institute for VLBI ERIC, Aalto University
W. H. Wang Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, Shanghai
B. Xia Chinese Academy of Sciences
W Yang Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xinjiang Astronomical Observatory
L. F. Hao Chinese Academy of Sciences
J Kallunki Aalto University
O. Witasse European Space Agency (ESA)
T.M. Bocanegra Bahamon Joint Institute for VLBI ERIC, , Chinese Academy of Sciences
L. Gurvits Joint Institute for VLBI ERIC,
M. M. Kettenis Joint Institute for VLBI ERIC
J. Kania Joint Institute for VLBI ERIC, Carnegie Mellon University
V. Tudose Institute for Space Sciences, Bucharest
P Rosenblatt Royal Observatory of Belgium
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Published Date

01-09-2016

Language

English

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Abstract

Context. The closest ever fly-by of the Martian moon Phobos, performed by the European Space Agency's Mars Express spacecraft, gives a unique opportunity to sharpen and test the Planetary Radio Interferometry and Doppler Experiments (PRIDE) technique in the interest of studying planet-satellite systems. Aims. The aim of this work is to demonstrate a technique of providing high precision positional and Doppler measurements of planetary spacecraft using the Mars Express spacecraft. The technique will be used in the framework of Planetary Radio Interferometry and Doppler Experiments in various planetary missions, in particular in fly-by mode. Methods. We advanced a novel approach to spacecraft data processing using the techniques of Doppler and phase-referenced very long baseline interferometry spacecraft tracking. Results. We achieved, on average, mHz precision (30 μm/s at a 10 s integration time) for radial three-way Doppler estimates and sub-nanoradian precision for lateral position measurements, which in a linear measure (at a distance of 1.4 AU) corresponds to ∼50 m.