# Satellite gravity gradiometry
*sensing . methodologies*

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

## Specifications
- **family**: Gravimetry
- **requirements envelope**: {"kind":"geometric","repeat_pass_geometry":false}
- **entity type**: methodology
- **last verified date**: 2026-06-08
- **verified by**: agency-doc
- **claim status**: agency-sourced
- **subtype**: sensing
- **attributes**: {"family":"Gravimetry","summary":"Determines the static gravity field and fine geoid by measuring gravity gradients directly with an onboard gradiometer, as demonstrated by GOCE.","requirements_envelope":"{\"kind\":\"geometric\",\"repeat_pass_geometry\":false}","kind":"sensing"}
- **technology**: gravimetry
- **relevance**: in-scope

## Editorial
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
- [esa-goce-instruments] | GOCE Instruments, ESA | https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/GOCE/Instruments | tier=agency-doc | accessed=2026-06-08
  Describes GOCE Electrostatic Gravity Gradiometer and its role measuring gravity gradients for the stationary gravity field, geoid, and gravity anomalies.
- [esa-goce-data-products] | GOCE Data Products, ESA | https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/GOCE/Data_products | tier=agency-doc | accessed=2026-06-08
  Lists GOCE gravity-potential, geoid-height, gravity-anomaly, and calibrated gravity-gradient products.
- [esa-goce-ops] | GOCE Operations, ESA | https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Operations/GOCE | tier=agency-doc | accessed=2026-06-08
  Explains GOCE gradiometry concept: acceleration differences over short baselines between proof masses of the Electrostatic Gravity Gradiometer.

---
Source: https://eo-atlas.org/methodologies/satellite-gravity-gradiometry
Maintainer: SpectraWorks B.V. (CC-BY 4.0)