Please Note: This dataset is retired, and is displayed for archive purposes only, and may not reflect the most updated information.

However, a newer version exists.
GRACE NON-TIDAL ATMOSPHERE AND OCEAN GEOPOTENTIAL COEFFICIENTS JPL RELEASE 6.0 GAC. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5067/GRGAC-20J06

For Version History information click here >>

GRACE NON-TIDAL ATMOSPHERE AND OCEAN GEOPOTENTIAL COEFFICIENTS JPL RELEASE 5.0 GAC

(GRACE_GAC_L2_GRAV_JPL_RL05)
DOI
Short NameGRACE_GAC_L2_GRAV_JPL_RL05
DescriptionFOR EXPERT USE ONLY. This dataset contains estimates of Earths geopotential field derived from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission measurements and a non-tidal oceanic and atmospheric model produced by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The data are in spherical harmonics averaged over approximately a month. The primary objective of the GRACE mission is to obtain accurate estimates of the mean and time-variable components of the Earths gravity field variations. This objective is achieved by making continuous measurements of the change in distance between twin spacecraft, co-orbiting in about 500 km altitude, near circular, polar orbit, spaced approximately 200 km apart, using a microwave ranging system. In addition to these range change, the non-gravitional forces are measured on each satellite using a high accuracy electrostatic, room-temperature accelerometer. The satellite orientation and position (and timing) are precisely measured using twin star cameras and a GPS receiver, respectively. Spatial and temporal variations in the Earths gravity field affect the orbits (or trajectories) of the twin spacecraft differently. These differences are manifested as changes in the distance between the spacecraft, as they orbit the Earth. This change in distance is reflected in the time-of-flight of microwave signals transmitted and received nearly simultaneously between the two spacecraft. The change in this time of fight is continuously measured by tracking the phase of the microwave carrier signals. The so called dual-one-way range change measurements can be reconstructed from these phase measurements. This range change (or its numerically derived derivatives), along with other mission and ancillary data, is subsequently analyzed to extract the parameters of an Earth gravity field model.
Version5.0
Dataset TypeDEPRECATED
Questions related to this dataset? Contact podaac@podaac.jpl.nasa.gov
Please contact podaac@podaac.jpl.nasa.gov for more info.
Citation is critically important for dataset documentation and discovery. Please cite the data as follows, and cite the reference papers when it is appropriate.
Citation GRACE. 2012. GRACE_GAC_L2_GRAV_JPL_RL05. Ver. 5.0. PO.DAAC, CA, USA. Dataset accessed [YYYY-MM-DD] at https://doi.org/

Download Citation
RIS BIB XML JSON-LD

For more information see Data Citations and Acknowledgments.

Journal Reference Bettadpur, S. 2007. Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Level-2 Gravity Field Product User Handbook. Center for Space Research at The University of Texas at Austin https://podaac-tools.jpl.nasa.gov/drive/files/allData/grace/docs/L2-UserHandbook_v2.3.pdf

.