Professor Dr Reinhard Rummel

Research of Reinhard Rummel concentrates on physical geodesy and in particular on the precise and detailed determination of the Earth’s gravitational field by modern satellite techniques. His considerations are based on an analysis of the spectral characteristics of the gravitational field of our planet. The theory derived from it is permitting a quantitative assessment of any possible concept of satellite gravimetry. Since the eighties his research is focussing on the realisation of the concept of gravitational gradiometry inside a satellite. In March 2009 the first satellite has been launched carrying a gravitational gradiometer on board. Its name is GOCE and it is the first mission of ESA’s new Earth science satellite programme. Because of this work his interest grew in the application of the spatial and temporal variations of the Earth’s gravity field for Earth sciences and in the design of a global observing system as a geodetic contribution to Earth system research.