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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 April 2016
Using artificial satellites as transfer objects the project “Coupled Quasar-Satellite-Star Positioning” represents an independent method for linking quasar and stellar reference frames. Optical observations of close approaches between reference stars and satellites yield satellite positions in the stellar reference frame. On the other hand high precision satellite orbits in the International Earth Rotation Service (IERS) terrestrial reference frame are obtained from laser or radiometric observations. Using IERS earth rotation parameters and adopted transformation models the satellite and eventually the star positions can be expressed in the IERS quasar celestial reference frame. In this paper we describe the CQSSP project and assess its capability for providing an accurate tie between tho two metioned celestial reference frames.