Analysis of VLBI Terrestrial Reference Frames Based on Quasar and Satellite Observations

Abstract

A distinctive feature of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Genesis mission is its dedicated Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) transmitter, which enables observations to the satellite using the existing VGOS antennas and infrastructure. The mission aims to significantly enhance the accuracy and stability of Terrestrial Reference Frames (TRFs). In this study, weekly 24-hour VLBI sessions over a five-year period are scheduled and simulated, comprising observations of both quasars and the Genesis satellite. This allows us to (i) derive a single TRF by jointly estimating station positions and velocities from the combined observation set, and (ii) derive two separate TRFs simultaneously by treating the quasar and satellite observations quasi-independently. This allows for a comparative analysis of the satellite- and quasar-based TRFs (ii) against the combined frame (i), and for assessing the potential to reveal frame biases.