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The new ESA satellite‐only gravity field model via the direct approach
Author(s) -
Bruinsma Sean L.,
Förste Christoph,
Abrikosov Oleg,
Marty JeanCharles,
Rio MarieHelene,
Mulet Sandrine,
Bonvalot Sylvain
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/grl.50716
Subject(s) - gravitational field , geodesy , geoid , satellite , geology , global positioning system , geopotential , anomaly (physics) , gravimetry , gravity anomaly , remote sensing , orbit determination , gravity of earth , geophysics , physics , computer science , telecommunications , paleontology , geotechnical engineering , condensed matter physics , astronomy , oil field , reservoir modeling , measured depth
Reprocessed Gravity Field and Steady‐State Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) gravity gradient data were combined with data from Laser Geodynamics Satellite (LAGEOS) 1/2 and Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) to generate a satellite‐only gravity field model to degree 260 using the direct approach, named DIR‐R4. When compared to Earth Gravitational Model 2008 (EGM2008), it is more accurate at low to medium resolution thanks to GOCE and GRACE data. When compared to earlier releases of ESA GOCE models, it is more accurate at high degrees owing to the larger amount of data ingested. It is also slightly more accurate than ESA's fourth release of the time‐wise model (TIM‐R4), as demonstrated by GPS/leveling, orbit determination tests, and an oceanographic evaluation. According to the formal, probably too optimistic by a factor of 2–2.5, cumulated geoid (1.3 cm) and gravity anomaly (0.4 mGal) errors at 100 km resolution, the GOCE mission objectives have been reached.