Alternative validation method of satellite gradiometric data by integral transform of satellite altimetry data

摘要

Integral transforms of the disturbing gravitational potential derived from satellite altimetry onto satellite gradiometric data are formulated, investigated and applied in this article. First, corresponding differential operators, that relate the disturbing gravitational potential to the six components of the disturbing gradiometric tensor in the spherical local north-oriented frame, are applied to the spherical Abel-Poisson integral equation. This yields six new integral equations for which respective kernel functions are given in both spectral and spatial forms. Second, truncation error formulas for each of the integral transforms are provided in the spectral form. Also expressions for the corresponding truncation error coefficients are derived. Third, practical estimators for evaluation of the disturbing gravitational gradients are formulated, and their correctness and expected accuracy are investigated. Finally, the practical estimators are applied for validation of a sample of the gradiometric data provided by the GOCE satellite mission. Obtained results demonstrate applicability of the new apparatus as an alternative validation method of the satellite gravitational gradients.