Gravity Field Recovery and Error Analysis for the MOCASS Mission Proposal Based on Cold Atom Interferometry

Abstract Satellite missions providing data for a continuous monitoring of the Earth gravity field and its changes are fundamental to study climate changes, hydrology, sea level solid phenomena. GRACE-FO (Gravity Recovery Climate Experiment Follow-On) mission was launched in 2018 NGGM (Next Generation Gravity Mission) studies ongoing long-term time-variable field. In recent years, an innovative concept measurements has also emerged, exploiting spaceborne gradio-meter based on cold atom interferometers. particular, team researchers from Italian universities research institutions proposed called MOCASS (Mass Observation with Cold Atom Sensors Space) conducted investigate performance gradiometer board low orbiter impact modeling different geophysical This paper presents analysis gradient attainable by such mission. Firstly, mathematical model processing will be described. Then numerical simulations presented, considering satellite orbital altitudes, pointing modes instrument configurations (single-arm double-arm); overall, were simulated twenty observation scenarios. Finally, simulation results illustrated, showing applicability improvement static respect GOCE Field Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer).