Orbital gravity gradiometry through differential micro-accelerometry
Abstract
The gradiometer system of the GRADIO mission, a satellite mission dedicated to the mapping of the earth gravity field, is described. The orbital gradiometer consists of several high-sensitivity accelerometers arranged in such a way as to provide the whole second derivative tensor of the potential. The accelerometers are linear three-axis instruments based on the electrostatic suspension of a cubic proof mass. The original concept of on-board continuous calibration makes it possible to achieve differential measurements with the required high accuracy. At an altitude of 200 km, a resolution of 0.001 E.U. for 1-m baseline appears to be feasible.
- Publication:
-
Budapest International Astronautical Federation Congress
- Pub Date:
- October 1983
- Bibcode:
- 1983buda.iafcX....B
- Keywords:
-
- Accelerometers;
- Gravity Gradiometers;
- Satellite Instruments;
- Scientific Satellites;
- Calibrating;
- Data Processing;
- Digital Data;
- Planetary Gravitation;
- Sensitivity;
- Servocontrol;
- Spacecraft Instrumentation