Description of the trajectory functions of TOPEX/POSEIDON navigation

TOPEX/POSEIDON is a joint American/French ocean topography experiment. It was launched by an Ariane launch vehicle on August 10, 1992 to study and map ocean circulation. The primary functions of the navigation subsystem of the TOPEX/POSEIDON project are to establish and maintain a pre-designed reference orbit, and to measure, monitor, and predict the satellite ground track continuously. To fulfill these functions, trajectory analysis is required to design and generate all trajectory related products. This paper is concerned with the trajectory functions of TOPEX/POSEIDON navigation. It describes various activities of this support function.