Gravity Field Measurement Instruments

Measurements > Gravity and Magnetic Fields > Gravity, Magnetic and Geodynamic measurements > Gravity field
Measurement Definition: Indicative of the statics and dynamics of the lithosphere and the mantle - Physical unit: [ mGal ] (1 Gal = 0.01 m/s2. i.e. 1 mGal ≈ 10-6 g0 . “Gal” stands for Galileo) - Accuracy unit: [ mGal ].
InstrumentStatus/
Accuracy		Instrument DescriptionMeasurement TechnologyTimeline
ACCOperationalMeasurement of the spacecraft non-gravitational accelerations, linear accelerations range: +/- 2*10-4 m/s2; angular measurement range: +/- 9.6* 10-3 rad/s2; measurement bandwidth: 10-4 to 10-2 Hz; Linear resolution: 1.8*10-10 m/s2; angular resolution: 8*10-9 rad/s2.n/a
GNSS POD ReceiverOperationalPrecision orbit determination.n/a
GPS Receiver (Swarm)OperationalProvides position and timing determinationn/a
GPSPOperationalPrecision orbit determination.n/a
Laser ReflectorsOperationalMeasures distance between the satellite and the laser tracking stations.n/a
Laser Reflectors (ESA)OperationalMeasures distance between the satellite and the laser tracking stations.n/a
LCCRA (LARES)OperationalAccuracy measurements on Lense-Thirring effect and baseline tracking data for General Relativity study and precision geodesy. Also for calibration of radar altimeter bias.n/a
LCCRA (LARES-2)OperationalAccuracy measurements on Lense-Thirring effect and baseline tracking data for General Relativity study and precision geodesy. Also for calibration of radar altimeter bias. Retro-reflectors are smaller (about 1 inch in diameter) than those mounted onboard LARES-1 and their number is much greater (about 300).n/a
LRAOperationalBaseline tracking data for precision orbit determination and/or geodesy. Also for calibration of radar altimeter bias. Several types used on various missions. (ASI involved in LAGEOS 2 development).n/a
LRA (LAGEOS)OperationalBaseline tracking data for precision geodesy. Also for calibration of radar altimeter bias. Several types used on various missions.n/a
LRA (Sentinel-6)Operational n/a
LRIOperationalInter-satellite ranging measurement to picometer level to be used to estimates for global models of the mean and time variable Earth gravity field.n/a
MWIOperationalIncludes BlackJack Global Positioning System (Turbo Rogue Space Receiver) and High Accuracy Inter-satellite Ranging System (aka K-band Ranging System) for Inter-satellite ranging system estimates for global models of the mean and time variable Earth gravity field.n/a
RRAOperationalSatellite laser ranging for geodynamic measurements.n/a
STROperationalPrecise attitude determination from the combination of two or three star trackers.n/a
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