First GOCE gravity field models derived by three different approaches

Abstract

Abstact.Three gravity field models, parameterized in terms of spherical harmonic coefficients, have been computed from 71 days of GOCE (Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer) orbit and gradiometer data by applying independent gravity field processing methods. These gravity models are one major output of the European Space Agency (ESA) project GOCE High-Level Processing Facility (HPF). The processing philosophies and architectures of these three complementary methods are presented and discussed, emphasizing the specific features of the three approaches. The resulting GOCE gravity field models, representing the first models containing the novel measurement type of gravity gradiometry ever computed, are analyzed and assessed in detail. Together with the coefficient estimates, full variance-covariance matrices provide error information about the coefficient solutions. A comparison with state-of-the-art GRACE and combined gravity field models reveals the additional contribution of GOCE based on only 71 days of data. Compared to combined gravity field models, large deviations appear in regions where the terrestrial gravity data are known to be of low accuracy. The GOCE performance, assessed against the GRACE-only model ITGGrace2010s, becomes superior at degree 150, and beyond. GOCE provides significant additional information of the global Earth gravity field, with an accuracy of the 2-months GOCE gravity field models of 10 cm in terms of geoid heights, and 3 mGal in terms of gravity anomalies, globally at a resolution of 100 km (degree/order 200).

Constraints from orbital motions around the Earth of the environmental fifth-force hypothesis for the OPERA superluminal neutrino phenomenology

“…Here we apply the method by Wagner and McAdoo [64] by choosing the CHAMP-based solution AIUB-CHAMP03S [65], the GRACE/GOCE/CHAMP/SLR-based solution GOCO2S [66] and the GOCE-only solution GOCONS [67] as test models, while we take the wholly independent GRACE/GOCE/LAGEOS-based solution EIGEN-6 [68] as formally superior reference model. EIGEN-6 was released by the GeoForschungsZentrum (GFZ), AIUB-CHAMP03S was produced by the Astronomisches Institut, Universität Bern (AIUB), while GOCO2S and GO-CONS were released by the Gravity Observation COmbination (GOCO) consortium.…”

Estimating the non-linear dynamics of free-flying objects

“…earth gravity, atmospheric drag, lunisolar gravity, solar radiation pressure, etc.) [20][21][22][23]. However, precise modeling of all forces acting on each spacecraft is a very complicated process, and it still contains modeling errors.…”

GOCE gravitational gradients along the orbit

“…The frame transformation, or tensor rotation, is discussed in Sect. 3, whereas the GOCE gravity field analyses are covered in (Pail et al 2011). See also Förste et al 2007;Migliaccio et al 2004;Pail and Plank 2004).…”

“…A method that would not have this disadvantage is a point-wise rotation with the GOCE V XY and V Y Z GGs replaced by model GGs, for example computed with a GOCE-only global gravity field model (Pail et al 2011). Because of the 1/f behaviour of the GG error below the MB, leakage effects may occur.…”

“…These Level 2 gravitational gradients in the instrument frame are used in combination with the GOCE GPS tracking data to model the Earth's gravitational field (Pail et al 2011). In addition, the gravitational gradients themselves may be used in Earth science applications with or without rotation to, for example, a local north oriented frame, e.g.…”