How many sources of error must be compensated for in order for satellite ranging to provide accurate position data?

In satellite ranging, accurate position data is achieved by compensating for multiple sources of error, which is typically three. These sources of error include:

1. Clock Errors: Satellite clocks can drift over time. If the satellite's clock is not perfectly synchronized with the receiver's clock, it can lead to errors in the calculated distance.

2. Orbital Errors: The position of the satellites in their orbits can vary slightly due to gravitational influences and other perturbations. Any inaccuracies in the recorded positions of the satellites will affect the precision of the range calculations.

3. Atmospheric Delays: The signal from the satellites passes through various layers of the Earth's atmosphere, such as the ionosphere and troposphere. Variations in temperature, pressure, and density can cause delays in the signal, affecting the distance calculations.

Compensating for these three sources of error allows for more accurate positioning data when calculations are performed. In practice, these errors are corrected using various mechanisms, such as algorithms and models that account for the physical principles governing satellite signals and environmental influences.