SATELLITE GRAVITY GRADIOMETRY METHOD Russian patent published in 2021 - IPC G01V7/16 

FIELD: gradiometry.

SUBSTANCE: invention is used to determine gravity gradients or second derivatives of the Earth's gravity potential. The essence of the invention consists in the fact that a gradiometer is placed in the center of mass of the spacecraft body of an elongated streamlined shape, in which a pair of stationary linear accelerometers with a given distance between them is installed on each x, y, z axis, and the propulsion system provides uniform movement of the spacecraft on a given trajectory, the parameters of the movement of the spacecraft are controlled using a GPS or GLONASS system and tracking systems from the Earth, solar batteries are rigidly fixed to the body of the spacecraft, while the orientation of the spacecraft in a given orbit is provided using a strapdown inertial unit to create the required torque acting on the body of the spacecraft, use an electromagnetic system.

EFFECT: ensuring the possibility of achieving high accuracy and reliability of satellite gravity gradiometry during continuous autonomous operation of a spacecraft in space.

1 cl, 1 dwg