Pseudo-Drag-Free System Simulation for Bepicolombo Radio Science Using Accelerometer Data
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Published:2024-01-30
Issue:
Volume:
Page:1-12
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ISSN:0731-5090
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Container-title:Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics
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language:en
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Short-container-title:Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics
Author:
De Filippis UmbertoORCID,
Lefevre CarloORCID,
Lucente MarcoORCID,
Magnafico CarmeloORCID,
Santoli FrancescoORCID,
Cappuccio PaoloORCID,
di Stefano IvanORCID,
Zurria Ariele,
Iess Luciano
Abstract
The Mercury Orbiter Radio Science Experiment onboard the European Space Agency/Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) BepiColombo mission aims at determining the gravity field and the rotational state of the planet to provide insight into its internal structure and at performing tests of general relativity. The experiment will rely on accurate radiometric data provided by the onboard Ka-band transponder and on measurements of the nonconservative perturbations acting on the spacecraft, provided by the Italian Spring Accelerometer. This paper presents a software implementation of a pseudo-drag-free system which includes the accelerometer measurements in the orbit determination process. Numerical simulations focus on the identification of a suitable calibration strategy to fulfill the experiment goals pertaining to geodesy and geophysics. The achievement of the expected scientific results will depend meaningfully on the quality of the accelerometer data. Perturbative analysis aided in the identification of a calibration strategy for the accelerometer data processing that allows obtaining an unbiased solution and compensating for accelerometer errors.
Funder
Agenzia Spaziale Italiana
Agenzia Spaziale Italiana and Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica
Publisher
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
Subject
Applied Mathematics,Electrical and Electronic Engineering,Space and Planetary Science,Aerospace Engineering,Control and Systems Engineering