REFINEMENT OF THE GEOPOTENTIAL SCALE FACTOR R(0) ON THE SATELLITE ALTIMETRY BASIS

Altimetric measurements of the GEOSAT satellite were used for the determination of geopotential scale factor R0. The geopotential value W0 on the geoid surface was then computed (W0 = GM/R0). The GEOSAT Geophysical Data Records (GDR's) covering an initial period of the Exact Repeat Mission (ERM) were filtered and processed. The necessary corrections were made in order to allow a precise detection of the sea surface. Gravitational geopotential, rotation and permanent tides were taken into account and the equipotential surface which is the best approximation of the sea surface was found. The determination of the potential value W0 on the mean geoid surface in this way is very promising. An associated value with W0 - the geopotential scale factor R0 - seems to be a very good Earth dimension defining quantity. Moreover, there are many possible applications of W0 (R0) in modern geophysics. The incorporation of one of these parameters - we now recommend R0 - into the set of the Primary Geodetic Parameters (PGP) is discussed and suggested.