Course detail

Space Geodesy 1

FAST-NEA032Acad. year: 2022/2023

Dynamics of satellite motion in a gravitational field - a two-body problem.
Disturbed and undisturbed motion of satellites.
Electromagnetic signal propagation in the atmosphere.
Global navigation satellite systems with emphasis on GPS and their applications.
Importance of ground support segment and error modelling for geodetic GNSS measurements.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

5

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Department

Institute of Geodesy (GED)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

The aim of the course is to deepen students' knowledge in the field of space geodesy, especially in the field of global navigation satellite systems.
The student will:
- understand the dynamics of satellite motion in orbit around the Earth,
- know the principles of different types of satellite measurements,
- have a detailed knowledge of the most important GNSS (GPS, Glonass, Galileo, BeiDou),
- understand the principles of the various GNSS positioning methods
- understand the importance of ground support systems for GNSS,
- understand methods of modelling errors and minimising their impact on results,
- be able to process GNSS measurements for geodetic purposes.

Prerequisites

Kinematics and dynamics of motion, Newton‘s laws of motion, Newton‘s gravitational law, law of refraction and reflection of the light, wave dispersion, methods of modulation of waves, field of dissipative forces, physical conditions in Earth‘s atmosphere.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Teaching of the course consists of lectures and exercises. The exercises include computational and practical problems in space geodesy.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Students' knowledge is continuously verified in exercises by assigning independently solved problems.
Knowledge at the end of the semester is verified by an exam. It has a written and an oral part. The condition for admission to the oral part is obtaining at least 50% of points in the written part. 

Course curriculum

lecture schedule

1. Orthogonal coordinate systems and their mutual transformations, the most important coordinate systems used in space geodesy
2. Chronometry - atomic times, Julian date
3. Two-body problem, unperturbed motion of satellites
4. Disturbed motion of satellites
5. Orbits of satellites, optical and electronic observation methods
6. Propagation of el-mag. signal in the atmosphere, GPS - space segment, navigation signals, navigation message
7. GPS - ground and user segment, receivers, antenna phase centre, breakdown of measurement methods
8. Ephemeris, GPS Time, absolute positioning
9. DGPS, relative methods, creation of differences, linear combination of measurements
10. Resolution of phase measurement ambiguities, relevant measurement methods
11. permanent station networks, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou
12. GNSS - combination of satellite systems, PPP method

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

Introducing students to space geodesy, especially global navigation satellite systems. Students will learn about the dynamics of the motion of a satellite in orbit around the Earth, the propagation of electromagnetic signals in the atmosphere and their processing for the purpose of determination of the receiver's position on the Earth.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Lectures are optional, attendance at excercises is compulsory. 

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Machotka, R., Fixel, J., HE01 Geodetická astronomie a kosmická geodézie I, Teoretický úvod, el. text, FAST

(CS)

Machotka, R., Fixel, J., HE01 Geodetická astronomie a kosmická geodézie I, Vybrané techniky, el. text, FAST

(CS)
Kaplan, E., Hegarty Ch. J.: Understanding GPS/GNSS: Principles and Applications, Third Edition, Boston/London, 2017 (EN)

Recommended reading

Teunissen, P. J.G., Montenbruck, O.: Springer Handbook of Global Navigation Satellite Systems, Springer, 2017,

(EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme NPC-GK Master's, 1. year of study, winter semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

lecture schedule

1. Orthogonal coordinate systems and their mutual transformations, the most important coordinate systems used in space geodesy
2. Chronometry - atomic times, Julian date
3. Two-body problem, unperturbed motion of satellites
4. Disturbed motion of satellites
5. Orbits of satellites, optical and electronic observation methods
6. Propagation of el-mag. signal in the atmosphere, GPS - space segment, navigation signals, navigation message
7. GPS - ground and user segment, receivers, antenna phase centre, breakdown of measurement methods
8. Ephemeris, GPS Time, absolute positioning
9. DGPS, relative methods, creation of differences, linear combination of measurements
10. Resolution of phase measurement ambiguities, relevant measurement methods
11. permanent station networks, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou
12. GNSS - combination of satellite systems, PPP method

Exercise

26 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

Transformation of orthogonal coordinates
Interpolation of satellite ephemerides
GPS satellite position
Preprocessing of GNSS observations
Calculation of position from code measurements
Processing of GNSS network data