Long Wavelength Gravity Field Determination from GOCE Using the Acceleration Approach
Abstract
In the GOCE (Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer) mission two types of techniques are used for the recovery of the gravity field: gradiometry for the medium to short wavelengths and high-low satellite- to-satellite tracking (hl-SST) for the long wavelength features. For the latter, it is necessary to make use of GPS observations due to the limited measurement bandwidth of the gradiometer. In this contribution we focus on this part. Currently, the processing facilities derive the long- wavelength features by using the energy conservation ap proach. We propose to use the acceleration approach, instead, as earlier studies for CHAMP showed that it offers a superior alternative. Theory suggest that the solution can be improved since gravity field information is available in all three directions whereas in case of the energy balance the information is primarily alongtrack. We show that for the low degrees such an improvement can be achieved. However, the processing is still at an early stage and further improvements are expected using improved filtering, better outlier detection and more reliable error information. The procedure aims at the optimal recovery of a GOCE-only solution which is one of the key objectives within the ESA's Living Planet Programme.
- Publication:
-
4th International GOCE User Workshop
- Pub Date:
- July 2011
- Bibcode:
- 2011ESASP.696E..36W