The ACES GNSS Remote Sensing Concept and Status of the GNSS Subsystem

Abstract

Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space (ACES) is an ESA mission in fundamental physics based on a new generation of ultra-stable and accurate clocks operated in the microgravity environment of the International Space Station. A dedicated GNSS receiver on-board the ACES payload will ensure orbit determination of the ACES clocks in order to apply relativistic corrections to the space-to-ground comparison between the ACES clock signal and the ground clock. Furthermore, the ACES mission is exploiting remote sensing applications including high-rate radio-occultation and reflectometry data recordings arising from GPS L1, L2, L2C, L5 and GALILEO/GIOVE E1, E5a signals. In parallel to ACES continuous precise orbit determination measurements several daily radio-occultation and reflectometry measurements can be scheduled. The ACES GNSS remote sensing concept and status of GNSS subsystem will be presented in this paper.