Abstract
Thermospheric mass density (TMD) measurements are invaluable to
accurately estimate and predict the position and velocity of orbiting
objects in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Existing observational methods and
empirical models fail to describe and predict, with enough accuracy and
resolution, the actual air-drag variations required for practical
applications. With the increasing number of LEO satellites equipped with
high-precision Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers,
precise orbit technology can be used to obtain non-gravitational
accelerations, and therefore estimate accurate TMD variations. In this
work, TMD is estimated from CASSIOPE precise orbits, and data from the
February 2014 geomagnetic storm can be investigated to high accuracy and
resolution. Using this method, a more accurate description than previous
methods and empirical models, that are unable to describe short-term TMD
variations, during geomagnetic storm conditions is given.