Spaceborne gravity gradiometry characterizing the data typeSatellite gravity gradiometers, particularly the two stage drag free carrier vehicle are discussed. An inner stage, carrying the tracking antenna(s), measures the relative position of the internal free proof mass, and feeds this to a set of magnetic forcers, acting against the outer or main vehicle. As the external forces on the inner stage are low, and as the position relative to the proof mass is tightly controlled, carrier phase disturbances are greatly reduced. The arrangement lowers instantaneous accelerations. It is stressed that gravity gradiometers do not measure gradients, they measure components of an intrinsic tensor.
Document ID
19880010463
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Sonnabend, D. (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 5, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1987
Publication Information
Publication: ESA, Proceedings of an ESA-NASA Workshop on a Joint Solid Earth Program