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ESA's gravity
mission GOCE
The
Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation
Explorer (GOCE) is dedicated to measuring the
Earth’s gravity field and modelling the
geoid with extremely high accuracy and spatial
resolution. It is the first Earth Explorer Core
mission to be developed as part of ESA’s
Living Planet Programme and is scheduled for
launch
at the end of 2007.
The geoid, which
is defined by the Earth’s gravity field,
is a surface of equal gravitational potential.
It follows a hypothetical ocean surface at rest
(in the absence of tides and currents). A precise
model of the Earth’s geoid is crucial for
deriving accurate measurements of ocean circulation,
sea-level change and terrestrial ice dynamics
– all of which are affected by climate
change. The geoid is also used as a reference
surface from which to map all topographical
features on the planet. An improved knowledge
of gravity anomalies will contribute to a better
understanding of the Earth’s interior,
such as the physics and dynamics associated
with volcanism and earthquakes and also further
our knowledge of land uplift due to post-glacial
rebound.
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GOCE 1:4, Click on image for
larger view
GOCE 1:4, Click on image for larger view
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