Cube-satellite networks for geodetic Earth observation on the example of gravity field retrieval (CubeGrav)

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Roland Pail; Professor Dr. Klaus Schilling
• Subject Area: Geodesy, Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing, Geoinformatics, Cartography ; Automation, Mechatronics, Control Systems, Intelligent Technical Systems, Robotics
• Term: from 2020 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 440392851

Gravity missions are a unique tool to monitor climate-relevant mass transport processes in the Earth system. The main objective of this project is to derive and investigate for the first time optimized cube-satellite networks for Earth’s gravity field recovery, with special focus on achievable temporal and spatial resolution and reduction of temporal aliasing effects. In a concerted effort of project partners from science and satellite technology, optimum solutions for satellite system and network design will be derived, and corresponding analysis methodologies will be developed. Their impact for geophysical applications will be quantified by full-fledged numerical simulations and compared to other existing and future gravity mission concepts.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants