Along‐Orbit Analysis of GRACE Follow‐On Inter‐Satellite Laser Ranging Measurements for Sub‐Monthly Surface Mass Variations

We examined the sensitivity of GRACE Follow-On (GRACE-FO) laser ranging interferometer (LRI) measurements to sub-monthly time-variable gravity (TVG) signals caused by transient, high-frequency mass changes in Earth system. GRACE-FO LRI provides complementary inter-satellite with higher precision over a wider range frequencies than baseline K-band microwave The common approach for studying variation relies on inverted TVG or mascon solutions period of, example, one month 10 days which are adversely affected temporal aliasing and/or smoothing. In this article, we present alternative along-orbit analysis methodology terms line-of-sight difference (LGD) fully exploit examination changes. discrepancy between “instantaneous” LGD observations and monthly-mean (from Level-2 data) at satellite altitude indicates gravitational variability not captured solutions. conjunction ocean altimetry observations, non-tidal atmosphere models, hydrology show that detect oceanic Argentine Basin Gulf Carpentaria, variations surface (river) water Amazon Basin. demonstrate benefits gained from repeat ground track data case flow. based time series presented here is especially suitable quantifying spatial evolution extreme, rapidly changing variations.