SLR ILRS Orbit Predictions: Daily CPF Files for Satellite Tracking and Geodesy

Daily and sub-daily Consolidated Prediction Format (CPF) files provide predicted orbits for satellites equipped with retroreflectors, used by the global Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) network. These files enable millimeter-precision range measurements, which are aggregated to determine accurate satellite orbits, station positions, and geophysical parameters. The data supports the terrestrial reference frame, gravitational field modeling, and tests of General Relativity.

Use Cases

• Coordinating satellite acquisition schedules at SLR tracking stations based on multi-day orbit predictions.
• Contributing to the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) through analysis of unambiguous range measurements.
• Modeling spatial and temporal variations in Earth's gravitational field using precise satellite orbits.
• Performing precise orbit determination for spaceborne radar altimeter missions to improve sea-level measurements.
• Conducting tests of the Theory of General Relativity using sub-nanosecond global time transfer capabilities.

Strengths

• Provides unambiguous range measurements with millimeter precision, as explicitly stated.
• Data is produced and issued on a daily or sub-daily basis, indicating high temporal resolution.
• Derived from the NASA Crustal Dynamics Data Information System (CDDIS), a recognized authoritative source.
• Supports multiple high-precision scientific applications, including reference frame definition and gravity field modeling.

Limitations

• Column names and detailed data structure are unknown across all sources, limiting immediate usability.
• Specific file sizes and row counts are not provided, making scale assessment difficult.
• License is listed as 'other-license-specified' without further details, requiring investigation for reuse.

Provenance

Source

NASA Crustal Dynamics Data Information System (CDDIS)

Collection Method

Derived product set generated from Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) tracking data.

Time Range

Daily and sub-daily issuance; specific start date not provided.

Freshness

2026-04-09 22:39:53.568936 (from datagov)

Geography

Global, based on the aggregated global SLR network.