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Needs and Tools for Future Gravity Measuring Missions

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Abstract

This paper compares the requirements that can be expected of gravity measuring missions with respect to the status of the instrumentation and satellite technologies. The error sources of gravity gradiometry and satellite-to-satellite tracking are analysed and the elements limiting the accuracy are identified. Proposed and approved future missions that will fly technologies of interest for gravity sensing are recalled. Areas of technical development of interest are reviewed. The article finishes with two possible conceptual missions presented as examples and with a chapter of conclusions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. European Space Agency, European Space Technology and Engineering Centre, The Netherlands (

    Miguel Aguirre-Martinez

  2. Department of Geomatics Engineering, University of Calgary, Canada (

    Nico Sneeuw

Authors
  1. Miguel Aguirre-Martinez
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  2. Nico Sneeuw
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Aguirre-Martinez, M., Sneeuw, N. Needs and Tools for Future Gravity Measuring Missions. Space Science Reviews 108, 409–416 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026287715375

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026287715375

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