TERRA: A feasibility study on local geoid determination in Bolivia with strapdown inertial airborne gravimetry

Abstract

Strapdown inertial airborne gravimetry as a practical and feasible tool for local and regional geoid determination is under research at the Institute of Geomatics (IG). Within the framework of the Spanish-Bolivian cooperation project TERRA, between the Institute Geografico Militar of Bolivia (IGM) and the IG, a feasibility analysis on geoid determination in Bolivia by means of INS/GNSS integration is being carried out. TERRA includes, among other goals, the specification of the geoid model that best fits the needs of Bolivia from a global point of view. Simulations in the spatial and spectral domain for GNSS and INS data will allow for an assessment of the performance of the technology. In addition, an empirical covariance model of the gravity anomalies has been derived from CHAMP-data, so that realistic simulations will be carried out. The contribution of other new satellite gravity missions, such as -GOCE-, will be evaluated as well. Actual gravity data will be obtained from a test flight over various topographic conditions to analyze the system response to a highly variable gravity signal. The data will be also processed to empirically verify the simulation results. The aim of this paper is to introduce the project and present some preliminary results.