REAL-GOCE

GOCE gravity gradients: A new satellite observable

The goal is to perform a comprehensive assessment of the quality and characteristics of the GOCE gravitational gradients as basis for their further use in geodesy, geophysics and oceanography. The project consists of a full analysis of the internal calibration process, a spectral analysis of the gradiometric components individually and of their combination, the determination of the optimal rotation of the gradient components from the gradiometer frame to arbitrary user frames with minimum loss of accuracy and the cross-validation and combination with altimetric data tracks. The project is carried out in close collaboration with IAPG (TU Munich). The figure shows the different work packages and their relations.

Project information

Funding: BMBF, GEOTECHNOLOGIEN Program

Period: 06/09 - 05/2012

Project partners: TU Munich (IAPG)

Responsible persons at DGFI: Joahnnes Bouman, Martin Fuchs

Selected publications

Bouman J., Stummer C., Murböck M., Fuchs M., Rummel R., Pail R., Gruber T., Bosch W., Schmidt M.: GOCE gravity gradients: a new satellite observable. GEOTECHNOLOGIEN Statusreport, 2010

Bouman J., Bosch W., Sebera J.: Assessment of systematic errors in the computation of gravity gradients from satellite altimeter data. Marine Geodesy, 34:85-107, DOI: 10.1080/01490419.2010.518498, 2011

Bouman J.: Relation between geoidal undulation, deflection of the vertical and vertical gravity gradient revisited. Journal of Geodesy, DOI: 10.1007/s00190-011-0520-9, 2011

Fuchs M., Bouman J.: Rotation of GOCE gravity gradients to local frames. Geophysical Journal International, DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2011.05162.x, 2011