On the one hand, a comprehensive analysis of the GOCE gravity gradient measurements should be performed in the context of the REAL-GOCE project (see figure below). The project consists of

1. a full analysis of the internal calibration process eliminating all semi-empirical parts,
2. a spectral analysis (in the time domain along the orbit and on the sphere) of the gradiometric components individually and of their combination,
3. optimal rotation of the gradient components from the gradiometer frame to arbitrary user frames with minimum loss of accuracy and
4. cross-validation and combination with altimetric data tracks.

The result will be an assessment of quality and characteristics of GOCE gravitational gradients as basis for any further use in geodesy, geophysics and oceanography. The project is executed in close collaboration with  IAPG (TU Munich).

On the other hand, the GOCE gravity gradients are to be preprocessed, that is, corrections for temporal gravity field variations have to be computed and applied, outliers and data gaps have to be detected and flagged and the gradiometer has to be calibrated with external data. The preprocessed gradients can be used for gravity field analysis and can be used in geophysical applications. This project is preformed in close collaboration with IAPG (TU Munich) in the context of the GOCE HPF (high-level processing facility).