ESA - Living Planet Programme - GOCE - Geodesy

ESA's gravity mission GOCE

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Geodesy

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The first geoid based on only two months of GOCE data, from November and December 2009, shows the excellent capability of the satellite to map tiny variations in Earth’s gravity. The geoid is the shape of an imaginary global ocean dictated by gravity in the absence of tides and currents. It is a crucial reference for accurately measuring ocean circulation, sea-level change and ice dynamics – all affected by climate change. An accurate model of the geoid is also important for surveying and geodesy, and for studying Earth interior processes.

Credits: ESA

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An example of expensive and time-consuming levelling. This kind of task could be replaced with GOCE's precise map of the geoid in combination with GPS information.

Credits: Rijkswaterstaat, NL

Last update: 16 September 2010

More information

GOCE - ESA's gravity mission (BR-285)GOCE - ESA's schwerkraft mission (BR-209)

In detail

GOCE Mission Requirements Document (pdf)