Are higher degree even zonals really harmful for the LARES/LAGEOS frame-dragging experiment?

Abstract

The low-altitude effects of LARES are examined to determined how they can impact the outcome of the hoped 1% frame-dragging measurement in the LARES–LAGEOS experiment. This analysis, based on a different approach than other studies recently appearing in the literature, shows that the spherical harmonics of the Earth gravity field with degree ℓ > 60 may represent a threat because their errors map significantly into LARES orbital disturbances compared to frame-dragging. The GIF48 model was used. It is questionable whether future Earth gravity models by GRACE and GOCE will be of sufficient accuracy.