1.3.3 Gravity Field: Why? And How?

AI-Based Accelerometer Signal Reconstruction for Next-Generation Satellite Gravimetry Missions

KI // AI
Frontiers of Geodetic Science
Tuesday, Sep 15, 2026
2:45 PM - 3:00 PM | Europe/Berlin

Vortrag // Presentation

INTERGEO Conference | Room C 62 b
English
About
Accurate monitoring of Earth’s time-variable gravity field is essential for observing mass redistribution processes related to climate change, hydrology, cryosphere evolution, and solid Earth dynamics. Satellite gravimetry missions such as GRACE and GRACE Follow-On (GRACE-FO) have demonstrated the high potential of low–low satellite-to-satellite tracking (LL-SST) for recovering temporal gravity variations. However, the accuracy of gravity field recovery strongly depends on the quality of accelerometer (ACC) observations used for modeling non-gravitational forces. Conventional electrostatic accelerometers (EA) are affected by limitations in long-term stability and low-frequency noise, motivating the investigation of alternative sensor concepts and advanced data reconstruction approaches. This study investigates accelerometer data transplantation as a promising strategy for future GRACE-like satellite gravimetry missions. The proposed approach aims to reconstruct and transfer non-gravitational acceleration information between satellites, thereby reducing the dependence on high-performance accelerometers onboard every satellite of the constellation. Different mission scenarios are analyzed using closed-loop LL-SST simulations, including configurations equipped with classical electrostatic accelerometers, quantum-based Cold Atom Interferometry (CAI) accelerometers, and hybrid EA–CAI systems. Particular emphasis is placed on artificial intelligence (AI)-driven approaches, where machine learning models are used to learn cross-satellite relationships and reconstruct degraded or missing ACC observations. The developed models enable data-driven signal transplantation between satellites and support improved recovery of non-gravitational accelerations within the gravity field processing chain. The results demonstrate that AI-assisted ACC transplantation can significantly enhance accelerometer signal reconstruction and improve gravity field recovery performance. In particular, hybrid mission architectures combined with machine learning approaches provide a robust and cost-efficient alternative to fully instrumented dual-sensor configurations, while maintaining comparable recovery accuracy. Furthermore, the integration of quantum accelerometers shows strong potential for improving low-frequency stability, which is a critical requirement for next-generation satellite gravimetry missions. The presented work highlights the potential of combining AI-based signal reconstruction, accelerometer transplantation, and quantum sensing technologies to advance future satellite gravimetry missions. These developments support the design of more accurate, resilient, and cost-effective GRACE-like mission concepts for long-term monitoring of Earth’s dynamic gravity field.

Speakers

Sahar Ebadi

PhD StudentLeibniz University Hannover

Nina Fletling

PhD StudentLeibniz University Hannover

Annike Knabe

Research ScientistDLR

Jürgen Müller

Leiter des Instituts für ErdmessungLeibniz University Hannover

Mohsen Romeshkani

Research SceintistLeibniz University Hannover

Moderators

Torsten Mayer-Gürr

University ProfessorTU Graz