Comparison of Current Gravity Estimation and Determination Models

This paper will discuss the history of gravity estimation and determination models while analyzing methods that are in development. Some fundamental methods for calculating the gravity field include spherical harmonics solutions, local weighted interpolation, and global point mascon modeling (PMC). Recently, high accuracy measurements have become more accessible, and the requirements for high order geopotential modeling have become more stringent. Interest in irregular bodies, accurate models of the hydrological system, and on-board processing has demanded a comprehensive model that can quickly and accurately compute the geopotential with low memory costs. This trade study of current geopotential modeling techniques will reveal that each modeling technique has a unique use case. It is notable that the spherical harmonics model is relatively accurate but poses a cumbersome inversion problem. PMC and interpolation models, on the other hand, are computationally efficient, but require more research to become robust models with high levels of accuracy. Considerations of the trade study will suggest further research for the point mascon model. The PMC model should be improved through mascon refinement, direct solutions that stem from geodetic measurements, and further validation of the gravity gradient. Finally, the potential for each model to be implemented with parallel computation will be shown to lead to large improvements in computing time while reducing the memory cost for each technique.Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanic

Aerospace Medicine and Biology: A continuing bibliography with indexes, supplement 192

This bibliography lists 247 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system in March 1979

Black-hole binaries, gravitational waves, and numerical relativity

Understanding the predictions of general relativity for the dynamical interactions of two black holes has been a long-standing unsolved problem in theoretical physics. Black-hole mergers are monumental astrophysical events, releasing tremendous amounts of energy in the form of gravitational radiation, and are key sources for both ground- and space-based gravitational-wave detectors. The black-hole merger dynamics and the resulting gravitational waveforms can only be calculated through numerical simulations of Einstein's equations of general relativity. For many years, numerical relativists attempting to model these mergers encountered a host of problems, causing their codes to crash after just a fraction of a binary orbit could be simulated. Recently, however, a series of dramatic advances in numerical relativity has allowed stable, robust black-hole merger simulations. This remarkable progress in the rapidly maturing field of numerical relativity, and the new understanding of black-hole binary dynamics that is emerging is chronicled. Important applications of these fundamental physics results to astrophysics, to gravitational-wave astronomy, and in other areas are also discussed.Comment: 54 pages, 42 figures. Some typos corrected & references updated. Essentially final published versio