Spaceborne Atom-Interferometry Gravity Gradiometry Design towards Future Satellite Gradiometric Missions

Atom-interferometry gravity gradiometry has been developed as a promising technique for future gradiometric missions after GOCE due to its greater sensitivity in micro-gravity environments and constant performance over the measurement bandwidth. In this paper, feasible method of spaceborne atom-interferometry is proposed by utilizing free-fall condition cold atoms space. Compared with GOCE, which shows an in-orbit noise 10~20 mE/Hz1/2, scheme described paper would achieve high 1.9 mE/Hz1/2 gradients reducing orbital altitude optimizing interrogation time atom interferometry. The results show that could significantly augment spectral content field degree order 280~316 resolve global improved accuracy 0.2 cm@100 km 0.85 cm@80 terms geoid height, 0.06 mGal@100 0.3 mGal@80 anomaly 1270 days data collection.