Can geodetic data be used as a complement to satellite gravity data in the future?

van Dam, T.
University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg

Terrestrial and space geodetic data are sometimes used to address spatial and temporal sampling deficiencies in dedicated gravity missions. The most obvious example is the contribution of space geodesy to determining degree-1. Other examples include degree-2 from SLR (which is peculiar to GRACE data usage) and the more general use of extracting a load from observed surface displacement.

As we move towards longer time-series and towards more precise gravity missions, the requirements on these types of space geodetic data products will change. This presentation will attempt to address a few questions regarding the future role of space geodetic data as a complement to dedicated gravity missions including: What are the realistic prospects for improving the supplementary space geodetic data? What areas need work to make this happen? What are the significant challenges?