External gravity potential of the earth, gravimetric quantities and geodetic parameters affected by gravity

Abstract

This is a final report on research done under Air Force Contract No. F19628-72-C-0120. The research reported in twenty-six scientific reports, numerous scientific papers, internal memorandums, and dissertations have been summarized and evaluated, keeping in mind the objectives of the contract. Subject matter include such items as the use of gravity gradient measurements, the convergence problems in physical geodesy, least-squares collocation theory and applications, combination of satellite and gravimetry data, inversion of large symmetric matrices, covariance functions, anomaly degree variances, mass distribution in the earth's interior, role of altimeter data in the determination of mean gravity anomalies, refinement of modelling techniques for the determination of geopotential coefficients and computational techniques in gravimetry. Suggestions for further studies are made.