Mass sensitivity of GRACE-like geodesy missions

Abstract:

The sensitivity of gravity-sensing low-low satellite-to-satellite ranging measurements in the style of GRACE is assessed as the minimum detectable point mass M_3 that gives signal-to-noise ratio = 3 as a function of orbital altitude, satellite separation, and instrument noise. We find for the laser ranging interferometer measurement on GRACE Follow-on M_3=470 Mton. M_3 for a future mission with different orbital parameters and improved instrument sensitivity is explored.