Satellite geodesy

Satellite geodesy is geodesy by means of artificial satellites—the measurement of the form and dimensions of Earth, the location of objects on its surface and the figure of the Earth's gravity field by means of artificial satellite techniques. It belongs to the broader field of space geodesy. Traditional astronomical geodesy is not commonly considered a part of satellite geodesy, although there is considerable overlap between the techniques.^[1]^: 2

The main goals of satellite geodesy are:

Determination of the figure of the Earth, positioning, and navigation (geometric satellite geodesy)^[1]^: 3
Determination of geoid, Earth's gravity field and its temporal variations (dynamical satellite geodesy^[2] or satellite physical geodesy)
Measurement of geodynamical phenomena, such as crustal dynamics and polar motion^[1]^: 4^[1]^: 1

Satellite geodetic data and methods can be applied to diverse fields such as navigation, hydrography, oceanography and geophysics. Satellite geodesy relies heavily on orbital mechanics.

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Seeber, Gunter (2003). Satellite geodesy. Berlin New York: Walter de Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783110200089. ISBN 978-3-11-017549-3.
^ Sosnica, Krzysztof (2014). Determination of Precise Satellite Orbits and Geodetic Parameters using Satellite Laser Ranging. Bern: Astronomical Institute, University of Bern, Switzerland. p. 5. ISBN 978-8393889808.

[Seeber-1] Seeber, Gunter (2003). Satellite geodesy. Berlin New York: Walter de Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783110200089. ISBN 978-3-11-017549-3.

[2] Sosnica, Krzysztof (2014). Determination of Precise Satellite Orbits and Geodetic Parameters using Satellite Laser Ranging. Bern: Astronomical Institute, University of Bern, Switzerland. p. 5. ISBN 978-8393889808.

[1]

[2]