GOCE data, models, and applications: A review

With the launch of the Gravity field and Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) in 2009 the science in gravity got another boost. After the time-lapse and long-wavelength studies from Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) a new sensor was available for determination of the Earthʹs gravity field and geoid with high accuracy and spatial resolution. Equipped with a 6-component gradiometer and flying at an altitude of 260 km and less GOCE provides the most detailed measurements of Earthʹs gravity from space ever. On top, GOCE also provides gravity gradients, i.e., the three-dimensional second derivatives of the gravitational potential. This paper provides a review of the results presented at the ‘GOCE solid Earth workshop’ at the University of Twente, The Netherlands (2012), where an overview was given of the present status of the data models, and applications with GOCE which form the basis for this special issue and the review in this paper. An introduction will be given to the GOCE satellite followed by an overview of GOCE data and gravity models. The present state of GOCE related research in geodesy, oceanography and solid Earth sciences indicates the first steps taken to integrate GOCE in the different application fields. For all three fields an overview is given on the most recent scientific results and developments, and first results specifically focusing on these studies where GOCE data has made a unique contribution and provides insights that would not have been possible without GOCE.