Gravity gradients Measurements Made by Earth Observation Satellites

CEOS EO HANDBOOK – MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENTS

Measurements > Gravity and Magnetic Fields >
Gravity, Magnetic and Geodynamic measurements >
Gravity gradients

Measurement Definition*: Gradient of the Earth’s gravity field measured at the satellite orbital height - Physical unit: [ E ] , Eötvös (1 E = 1 mGal / 10 km) - Accuracy unit: [ E ].

Instrument	Status/ Accuracy	Instrument Description	Measurement Technology	Timeline
LCCRA (LARES) Laser Corner Cube Reflector Assembly	Operational	Accuracy 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) Laser Corner Cube Reflector Assembly	Operational	Accuracy 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
LRA (LAGEOS) Laser Retroreflector Array	Operational	Baseline tracking data for precision geodesy. Also for calibration of radar altimeter bias. Several types used on various missions.	n/a
LRA (Sentinel-6) Laser Retroreflector Array (Sentinel-6)	Operational		n/a

* Description adapted from WMO.