Gravity field mapping using laser-coupled quantum accelerometers in space

The emergence of quantum technologies, including cold atom-based accelerometers, offers an opportunity to improve the performances space geodesy missions. In this context, CNES initiated assessment study called GRICE (GRadiométrie à Interféromètres quantiques Corrélés pour l’Espace) in order evaluate contribution atom technologies and end users geodetic data. paper, we present mission scenario for gravity field mapping based on a long baseline gradiometer. is constellation two satellites, flying at altitude 373 km, each equipped with accelerometer sensitivity $$6 \times 10^{-10}\,\hbox {m}\,\hbox {s}^{-2}\,\tau ^{-1/2}$$ . A laser link measures distance between satellites couples these instruments produce correlated differential acceleration measurement. main parameters, determining payload, have been investigated. We carried out general satellite architecture simulations terms restitution field. show that concept would give its best performance monthly fields recovery under 1000 km resolution. resolution band 222 improvement gradient approach over traditional range-rate globally 10 25%.