Simulation Analysis of GRACEtype Gravity Satellite Formation

Abstract:

The gravity satellite missions launched have the limitations in insufficient spatial and temporal resolution, spacetime aliasing, and anisotropy of the gravitational field signals. The orbit altitude, the orbit inclination and the intersatellite range of GRACEtype gravity satellite formation were simulated and analyzed. The numerical analysis of the impact of two GRACEtype gravity satellite constellation on the spatial and temporal resolution of gravity field was carried out. The results show that, considering the signal attenuation of gravity field and the life of the satellite, the satellite formation orbit altitude is better at 300~400 km. The choice of the orbit inclination should consider the influence of the polar gaps sufficiently, and the gap size should not exceed 6°. Also, when the intersatellite range is greater than 250 km, the improvement of the gravity field accuracy is not obvious, and the intersatellite range is excellently set to 50~100 km. Besides, the constellation including two GRACEtype gravity satellite formation can effectively enhance the spatial and temporal resolution of the earth's gravity field at the same time to achieve isotropic exploring of the timevariable gravity field.

Key words:gravity satellite; earth gravity field; GRACEtype satellite formation; satellite constellation; spatial and temporal resolution