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Nerem et al. 1994
Nerem, R.S., Lerch, F.J., Marshall, J.A., Pavlis, E.C., Putney, B.H., Tapley, B.D., Eanes, R.J., Ries, J.C., Schutz, B.E., Shum, C.K., Watkins, M.M., Klosko, S.M., Chan, J.C., Luthcke, S.B., Patel, G.B., Pavlis, N.K., Williamson, R.G., Rapp, R.H., Biancale, R. and Nouel, F. (1994). Gravity model development for TOPEX/POSEIDON: Joint Gravity Models 1 and 2. Journal of Geophysical Research 99: doi: 10.1029/94JC01376. issn: 0148-0227.

The TOPEX/POSEIDON (T/P) prelaunch Joint Gravity Model-1 (JGM-1) and the postlaunch JGM-2 Earth gravitational models have been developed to support precision orbit determination for T/P. Each of these models is complete to degree 70 in spherical harmonics and was computed from a combination of satellite tracking data, satellite altimetry, and surface gravimetry. While improved orbit determination accuracies for T/P have driven the improvements in the models, the models are general in application and also provide an improved geoid for oceanographic computations. The postlaunch model, JGM-2, which includes T/P satellite laser ranging (SLR) and Doppler orbitography and radiopositioning integrated by satellite (DORIS) tracking data, introduces radial orbit errors for T/P that are only 2 cm RMS with the commission errors of the marine geoid for terms to degree 70 being ¿25 cm. Errors in modeling the nonconservative forces acting on T/P increase the total radial errors to only 3--4 cm RMS, a result much better than premission goals. While the orbit accuracy goal for T/P has been far surpassed, geoid errors still prevent the absolute determination of the ocean dynamic topography for wavelengths shorter than about 2500 km. Only a dedicated gravitational field satellite mission will likely provide the necessary improvement in the geoid. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1994

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Abstract

Keywords
Geodesy and Gravity, Geopotential theory and determination, Geodesy and Gravity, Regional and global gravity anomalies and earth structure, Geodesy and Gravity, Instruments and techniques
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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