sensing · methodologies

Satellite gravity gradiometry

Determines the static gravity field and fine geoid by measuring gravity gradients directly with an onboard gradiometer, as demonstrated by GOCE.

Satellite gravity gradiometry is the static-field counterpart to ranging gravimetry. Instead of flying a pair of satellites and measuring their separation, one spacecraft measures gravity-gradient components with an onboard gradiometer. The method resolves fine structure in the geoid and gravity anomalies, which supports mean dynamic topography, geodesy, and crustal-density context. It is not the right method for month-to-month mass change; its value is the high-resolution reference gravity field against which ocean and geology products can be interpreted.

Sources

[1]GOCE Instruments, ESAagency doc2026-06-08Describes GOCE Electrostatic Gravity Gradiometer and its role measuring gravity gradients for the stationary gravity field, geoid, and gravity anomalies.
[2]GOCE Data Products, ESAagency doc2026-06-08Lists GOCE gravity-potential, geoid-height, gravity-anomaly, and calibrated gravity-gradient products.
[3]GOCE Operations, ESAagency doc2026-06-08Explains GOCE gradiometry concept: acceleration differences over short baselines between proof masses of the Electrostatic Gravity Gradiometer.

Cite https://eo-atlas.org/methodologies/satellite-gravity-gradiometry Markdown twin → Field definitions →