Analysis of helicopter-borne gravity gradiometry

Abstract

Nowadays the FALCON partial tensor gravity gradiometer is the only applied AGG instrument to be used in a helicopter to collect high-resolution data for commercial demand. In order to know its principles and make full use of its advantages, in this study thesis, a helicopterborne gravity gradiometry data set offered by USGS is processed and analysed. It is interesting to figure out that whether the gradient tensor invariants are truly "invariant". Also through Fourier transformation, all gradient tensor components can be determined mathematically. Besides, the effects of terrain corrections and different flight line spacings and drape heights are also concerned to obtain high-resolution data in the easiest way.