The GOCE (Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer) satellite was launched in an ESA mission about two years ago with the aim of taking measurements of the geoid with a precision never achieved before.

With its gradiometer, an very sensitive gravity detection instrument, the GOCE has collected enough data to create the most accurate image of the Earth we’ve ever seen.

This enormous job wasn’t done just for the sake of knowledge but for very practical reasons. The recent tragedy in Japan reminded us once again that despite all our technology we’re still at the mercy of forces that operate inside the planet. Well, the tectonic plates movements create gravitational traces significant enough to be detected by the GOCE satellite. The analysis of the data collected over time and their changes may help to understand the mechanisms leading to earthquakes, especially to predict them. It’s obvious that building a system to give a warning well in advance could save thousands of lives and give time to secure hazardous installations such as nuclear power plants.

The findings of the GOCE also aim to improve our understanding of ocean currents and to detect accurately the thickness and movement of glaciers, particularly in the polar ice caps. In essence the data taken by this satellite will help us to get a better idea of changes in Earth climate and their causes.

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The GOCE satellite has been placed in low orbit of about 260 km in order to make the best possible measurements. Inevitably at that height there is some friction caused by the thin atmosphere and the need for an engine that will keep it in orbit. The GOCE’s ion engine will allow it to continue its mission until the end of 2012, when it’s estimated to run out of fuel. Until then the gravitational measures by this extraordinary machine will go on.