Earth Gravity Field from Space - from Sensors to Earth Sciences

The ESA explorer core mission GOCE, to be launched in 2006, will enhance our knowledge of the global static gravity field and of the geoid by orders of magnitude. The U.S. satellite gravity mission GRACE (2002-2006) is currently measuring, in addition, the temporal variations of the gravity field. With these new data a whole range of fascinating new possibilities will be opened for solid Earth physics, oceanography, geodesy and sea-level research. The new generation of gravity missions employs sensor concepts for gravity field measurement, orbit and attitude control and orbit determination that show interesting similarities with space experiments planned in the field of fundamental physics. This volume is the result of a workshop that brought together some 50 acknowledged experts in their field to discuss (1) strategies for ultra precision orbit determination and gravity field modelling with the data of the upcoming gravity field missions, (2) the use of accurate and high resolution gravity models in Earth sciences whereby, in particular, synergy is expected between the various science fields in their use of this type of new information, and (3) gravity field requirements and possible sensor and mission concepts for the time after GRACE and GOCE. TOC:From the Contents: Foreword.- I: Precise Orbit Determination and Gravity Field Modelling.- II: Solid Earth Physics.- III: Ocean Circulation.- IV: Geodesy.- V: Sea Level.- VI: Future Concepts.- VII: Closing Session.- Author Index.- List of Participants.

How to Climb the Gravity Wall.- Strategies for Precise Orbit Determination of Low Earth Orbiters Using the GPS.- Aiming at a 1-cm Orbit for Low Earth Orbiters: Reduced-Dynamic and Kinematic Precise Orbit Determination.- Space-Wise, Time-Wise, Torus and Rosborough Representations in Gravity Field Modelling.- Gravity Field Recovery From GRACE: Unique Aspects of the High Precision Inter-Satellite Data and Analysis Methods.- Global Gravity Field Recovery Using Solely GPS Tracking and Accelerometer Data from CHAMP.- The Processing of Band-Limited Measurements: Filtering Techniques in the Least Squares Context and in the Presence of Data Gaps.- Long Wavelength Sea Level and Solid Surface Perturbations Driven by Polar Ice Mass Variations: Fingerprinting Greenland and Antarctic Ice Sheet Flux.- Benefits From GOCE within Solid Earth Geophysics.- The Potential of GOCE in Constraining the Structure of the Crust and Lithosphere from Post-Glacial Rebound.- Deep and Shallow Solid-Earth Structures Reconstructed with Sequential Integrated Inversion (SII) of Seismic and Gravity Data.- Present-Day Sea Level Change: Observations and Causes.- Global Ocean Data Assimilation and Geoid Measurements.- Resolution Needed for an Adequate Determination of the Mean Ocean Circulation from Altimetry and an Improved Geoid.- Error Characteristics Estimated from CHAMP, GRACE and GOCE Derived Geoids and from Satellite Altimetry Derived Mean Dynamic Topography.- Estimating the High-Resolution Mean Sea-Surface Velocity Field by Combined Use of Altimeter and Drifter Data for Geoid Model Improvement.- Combined Use of Altimetry and In Situ Gravity Data for Coastal Dynamics Studies.- Feasibility, and Contribution to Ocean Circulation Studies, of Ocean Bottom Pressure Determination.- Impact of Geoid Improvementon Ocean Mass and Heat Transport Estimates.- How Operational Oceanography can Benefit from Dynamic Topography Estimates as Derived From Altimetry and Improved Geoid.- Remarks on the Role of Height Datum in Altimetry-Gravimetry Boundary-Value Problems.- Ocean Tides In GRACE Monthly Averaged Gravity Fields.- Tidal Models in a New Era of Satellite Gravimetry.- The Elusive Stationary Geoid.- Geodetic Methods for Calibration of GRACE and GOCE.- Benefits of GRACE and GOCE to Sea Level Studies.- What Might GRACE Contribute to Studies of Post Glacial Reboud?.- Measuring the Distribution of Ocean Mass Using GRACE.- Monitoring Changes in Continental Water Storage with GRACE.- Attitude and Drag Control: An Application to the GOCE Satellite.- On Superconductive Gravity Gradiometry in Space.- Satellite-Satellite Laser Links for Future Gravity Missions.- Possible Future Use of Laser Gravity Gradiometers.- MICROSCOPE Instrument Development, Lessons for GOCE.- Needs and Tools for Future Gravity Measuring Missions.- GOCE: ESA’s First Earth Explorer Core Mission.- Earth Gravity Field From Space — From Sensors to Earth Sciences: Closing Remarks.- Author Index.- List of Participants.