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ESA's gravity mission GOCE
 
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The Gravity Field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) mission is dedicated to measuring Earth's gravity field and modelling the geoid with unprecedented accuracy and spatial resolution. Since the satellite has to be completely stable to ensure the acquisition of true gravity readings, the spacecraft has no mechanical moving parts. In order to receive the optimum gravity signal GOCE flies in a particularly low orbit of just 250 km above the surface of Earth. The slim, octagonal, spacecraft is about 5 m in length and 1 m across – configured to keep aerodynamic drag and torque to an absolute minimum.

Credits: ESA – AOES Medialab
 
 
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GOCE first global gravity model
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The first global gravity model based on GOCE satellite data was presented at ESA’s Living Planet Symposium. Based on only two months of data, from November and December 2009, it illustrates the excellent capability of GOCE to map tiny variations in Earth’s gravity field.

Credits: ESA – GOCE High Level Processing Facility
 
 
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The need for GOCE (Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer) to fly in a low orbit means it has to be equipped with a system to compensate for the atmospheric drag it will experience at this exceptionally low altitude. The animation shows a close-up of the ion-propulsion assembly, which keeps the satellite in a smooth trajectory – free from all effects except the gravity field itself. Two winglets provide additional aerodynamic stability.

Credits: ESA – AOES Medialab
 
 
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The GOCE gradiometer contains three pairs of proof masses positioned at the outer ends of three 50 cm long orthogonal arms. Because of their different position in the gravitational field they all experience the gravitational acceleration of Earth slightly differently. The three axes of the gradiometer allow the simultaneous measurement of six independent but complementary components of the gravity field.

Credits: ESA – AOES Medialab
 
  Last update: 28 March 2011 
 
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