CHAMP - Challenging Minisatellite Payload

Description
CHAMP (CHAllenging Minisatellite Payload) was a German small satellite mission (2000-2010). It was managed by GFZ and used for geoscientific and atmospheric research and applications. For the first time in history, CHAMP generated highly precise and simultaneous gravity and magnetic field measurements thanks to its multifunctional and complementary payload elements (magnetometer, accelerometer, star sensor, GPS receiver, laser retro reflector, ion drift meter) and its orbit characteristics (near polar, low altitude, long duration). The measurements include both the spatial and temporal variations of the two fields. The CHAMP mission has opened a new era in geopotential research and has become a significant contributor to the International Decade of Geopotential Research declared by IAGA in 1997. In addition to the radio occultation measurements onboard the spacecraft and the infrastructure developed on ground, CHAMP became a pilot mission for the pre-operational use of space-borne GPS observations for Atmospheric and ionospheric research, and applications in weather prediction and space weather monitoring.
Type of Data
Orbit and Gravity Field Products, Magnetic and Electric Field Products, Neutral Atmosphere Products, Ionosphere Products, GPS radio occultation data
Contact
Sections
Global Geomonitoring and Gravity Field (1.2), Geomagnetism (2.3)
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