Main tasks and results

The following main tasks and results are summarized in the following. They are also compiled in an Executive Summary Report (pdf).
You can also download the Final Report (pdf).

1. Evaluation of various constellations and detail studies on specific design parameters
   In the frame of this science study, several potential mission constellations were investigated and numerically simulated in great depth, in order to narrow down the trade space of a potential MAGIC constellation, to provide feedback to parallel system Phase A industry studies, and to identify an optimum constellation set-up regarding science return, technical feasibility, and costs. Additionally, several design parameters such as orbit altitude, inter-satellite distance, inclination of the second pair, homogeneity of ground track sampling, have been investigated. More details can be found here.

2. Second software implementation
   In order to validate the TUM numerical simulation results and to prove that these results are reliable, a second implementation of the simulator was done at GFZ based on the EPOS software package. More details can be found here.

3. Match of simulation results against MRD requirements
   All simulation scenarios performed in this study were evaluated in terms of cumulative EHW errors, and the results were compared against the MRD requirements, which are largely based on the IUGG user requirements (Pail et al., 2015). More details can be found here.

4. Development of improved processing methods
   In the frame of this project, improved processing strategies have been developed, implemented, numerically analyzed and compared to the performance of the baseline strategy. This includes topics such as the optimal application of de-aliasing models, the treatment of ocean tides in near-real time (NRT) analysis and post-processing, or the optimal signal parametrization with respect to space and time. More details can be found here.

5. Science impact analysis
   A science impact analysis was performed for the main fields of applications of MAGIC, such as continental hydrology, cryosphere, oceanography, solid Earth, and climate research. They revealed significant added value and improved science return of MAGIC constellations for unravelling and understanding mass transport and mass change processes in the Earth system. More details can be found here.

6. DORIS-aided orbit and gravity field determination
   The impact of embarking DORIS receivers on board of the gravity field satellites was investigated. It was assessed if DORIS, in addition to precise cm-level kinematic orbit solutions derived from GNSS observations, has the capability to enhance the quality of orbits and retrieved temporal gravity field models. More details can be found here.

7. Accelerometer calibration
   Connected to the studies on the DORIS-aided orbit and gravity field determination (section 6), it was also investigated if such a scenario has the potential to enhance the calibration of accelerometers. More details can be found here.