07/19/2022
By Lynne Schaufenbil
Advancement of the Geodetic Reference Instrument Transponder for Small Satellites (GRITSS) to TRL6
PI: Christopher Beaudoin
The Geodetic Reference Instrument Transponder for Small Satellites (GRITSS) facilitates a new observing method that has been designed to resolve systematic positioning errors between GPS and Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) Space Geodesy Techniques. VLBI is a radio astronomical technique that uses very point-like extragalactic radios sources to define the geodetic position of the observing telescope so it is completely independent of GPS. And the systematic errors in question are revealed when the VLBI telescope’s position is surveyed by traditional methods with respect to a geodetic-quality GPS monument in close proximity to the telescope. As GPS and VLBI are independent techniques, it is not possible to pinpoint the sources of error to one technique or the other so auxiliary information is needed. To this end, GRITSS will collect GPS observations in Low Earth Orbit and transpond these signals to the VLBI ground station. With the new technique, the position of the VLBI telescope can be defined directly within the GPS framework. The funds we are receiving through this augmentation will allow us to elevate the GRITSS to TRL6 as we prepare for a spaceflight demonstration of the instrument and the new observing technique.
The amount of the award is $328,099 which runs from 7/1-12/31/22.