Abstract
After recalling the need for measuring the Earth’s gravity field at fine spatial scale and high precision with respect to applications in the geosciences, we broadly review the classical ways of determining global gravity models. We then describe the new satellite gravity missions with their basic principles and finally give our vision of the future in this domain.
Details in a gravity model recovery (functional representation, dynamical approach, inverse problem of celestial mechanics, disturbing forces, etc.) and in the principles of satellite-to-satellite tracking and satellite gradiometry (and instruments) are to be found in other chapters of this encyclopedia. Broad concepts only and most important mathematical methods are given here.
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Balmino, G. (2021). Gravity Method, Satellite. In: Gupta, H.K. (eds) Encyclopedia of Solid Earth Geophysics. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58631-7_94
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58631-7_94
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