Error analysis of earth physics satellite systems

Error analysis of distant-satellite-to-close-satellite range-rate, satellite-to-sea altimetry, and ground station to satellite range are made by simulations in which observational variances are assumed, observation equations are formed, and normal equations incremented. The final normal equation matrix is inverted to obtain standard deviations and correlation coefficients. The natural parameters solved for are the broad variations of the gravity field, represented by harmonic coefficients; local variations of gravity, represented by point masses; and the departure of the sea level from the geoid, represented by area means. A standard case of a low (263 km) polar close satellite, three equatorial geosynchronous satellites, and eight ground tracking stations is set up.