Abstract:

The K-band inter-satellite ranging(KBR) system is the primary mesurement system of the GRACE mission. During the preliminary design and ground test period of the GRACE satellites, comprehensive KBR simulations were performed to evaluate the accuracy level of the KBR and to predict the overall GRACE mission performance. Comparison between the simulated KBR measurements and real flight measurements can improve the fidelity of the simulation models and may contribute to the calibration of the KBR measurements.This paper describes the pre-flight simulation models and ongoing status of the comparison process.