TERRA: a cooperative feasibility analysis of airborne INS/GNSS gravimetry for geoid determination in Bolivia

The Institute of Geomatics (IG) and the Instituto Geográfico Militar de Bolivia (IGM) are conducting an analysis on the feasibility of kinematic airborne gravimetry with strapdown inertial and satellite navigation technologies for geoid determination. This research is being conducted within the frame of the TERRA project which is funded with cooperation funds of the Spanish Ministry of Economy. This paper will present the TERRA project, its goals, methodology, procedures and current status. In the methodological part we will discuss the principles of INS/GNSS gravimetry, its advantages, disadvantages and challenges. We will briefly present, as well, how airborne gravity measurements can be used for geoid determination. In the current status of the project we will present a summary of its most relevant achievements: A geoid specification for Bolivia and the results of an experimental flight recently conducted by the IG and the IGM over the Bolivian Andes and rain forest.