The determination of time variable gravity from constellation of non-dedicated satellites

Conference paper (2009)

Authors

B.C. Gunter Physical Space Geodesy
P.G. Ditmar Physical Space Geodesy
J. De Teixeira Da Encarnação Physical Space Geodesy
Research Group
Physical Space Geodesy
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Published Date

2009

Language

English

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Research Group

Physical Space Geodesy

Abstract

This study will assess the feasibility of using a constellation of non-dedicated satellites to determine Earth's time-variable gravity field. Precise orbit data from the FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC satellite constellation will be processed and the results will be compared to theoretical predictions. Provided accurate knowledge of the satellite orbits through GPS positioning only, the constellation should be able to provide information about the large scale (> 1000 km), high frequency (< 1 month) variations in the gravity field. The concept would also provide current and future dedicated gravity field missions with valuable information at the low degrees, thereby improving the overall recovery of the full spectrum of time-variable gravity. This is valuable not only for Earth observation, but for topics in mission design and orbit determination.