Gradio - Earth gravity field measurement on Aristoteles
Abstract
The design and operation of Gradio, the instrument that was specifically designed for precise gradiometry measurements during the Aristoteles mission, are described. The Gradio is based on simultaneous measurements by four three-axis ultrasensitive accelerometers performed in several locations on a rigid stable structure, called gradio plate, which are then used to compute g gradients. The operational phase of Gradio will last 6 months; the orbit will be circular, near polar, and heliosynchronous, at an altitude of 200 km. It is estimated that Gradio will measure the two main components T(yy) and T(zz) of the gravity gradient tensor in the (0.005, 0.125) Hz frequency bandwidth with an accuracy of 0.01 E.U.
- Publication:
-
Montreal International Astronautical Federation Congress
- Pub Date:
- October 1991
- Bibcode:
- 1991mont.iafcT....P
- Keywords:
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- Accelerometers;
- Earth Gravitation;
- Gravimetry;
- Satellite Design;
- Satellite Instruments;
- Geodesy;
- Gravity Gradiometers;
- Satellite Drag;
- Satellite-To-Satellite Tracking;
- Spacecraft Instrumentation