Tidal parameters as a tool for the determination of the coordinates of the SLR stations

Abstract

One of the primary objectives of satellite geodesy is the determination of coordinates of the satellite laser ranging (SLR) stations. This task is conducted by using laser ranging techniques. The main goal of the current study was to assess the influence of using varied values of the tidal parameters (Love h2 and Shida l2 numbers) on the determination of the positions of chosen SLR stations. The obtained results are presented for coordinates determination conducted for six SLR stations: Mt Stromlo (no. 7825, Australia), Matera (no. 7941, Italy), Grasse (no. 7845, France), McDonald (no. 7080, USA), Arequipa (no. 7403, Peru) and Beijing (no. 7249, China). The analysis covers SLR data for 2 satellites (LAGEOS1 and LAGEOS2), which were observed for 10 consecutive years (from 2008 to 2018). The analysis was performed using the ITRF2014 reference frame in two scenarios of calculations. In scenario 1, the SLR stations coordinates were calculated using the nominal values as per the International Earth Rotation and Reference System Service (IERS) standards recommendation of the Love/Shida numbers: h2 = 0.6078, l2 = 0.0847. In scenario 2, the coordinates were estimated using the harnessing values of the Love/Shida numbers (h2 = 0.6140 and l2 = 0.0876), which were proposed by authors in a previous publication. The effect of the application of different values of the Love/Shida numbers for the determination of SLR stations coordinates was scrutinized.