1887
1st Australasian Exploration Geoscience Conference – Exploration Innovation Integration
  • ISSN: 2202-0586
  • E-ISSN:

Abstract

The Gedex High-Definition Airborne Gravity Gradiometer (HD-AGG) was designed and developed to deliver measurements of the gravitational field with improved signal-to-noise and resolution. The system has been under development for more than 10 years and has reached the point of commercial deployment. Knowledge of the gradiometer components being measured, noise character and resolution of the system will allow end-users to select exploration targets and determine survey parameters appropriately.

The validation of the Gedex system has been progressive in nature consisting of laboratory tests and flight tests in a Cessna Caravan. The lab experiments consisted of static tests to establish the quiescent noise floor, signal confirmation tests and dynamic testing on a 6 degree-of-freedom shaker. The airborne testing included high altitude flights to confirm the noise level and character of the system over long periods. Low-level repeat surveys were carried out to establish the noise levels under survey conditions. High resolution terrain data were used to confirm the resolution of the system. Datasets from our validation program and the path forward are discussed.

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2018-12-01
2026-01-12
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References

  1. Baker et al. Advances in Airborne Gravity Gradiometry at Gedex: In RJL Lane (editor), Airborne Gravity 2016 - Abstracts from the ASEG-PESA Airborne Gravity 2016 Workshop, Geoscience Australia Record (In press)
  2. Barnes, G. J., and J. M. Lumley, 2011, Processing Gravity Gradient Data: Geophysics, 76, no. 2, I33-I47, doi: 10.1190/1.3548548.
  3. Carroll, K. A., D. Hatch, and B. Main, 2010, Performance of the Gedex high-definition airborne gravity gradiometer: In RJL Lane (editor), Airborne Gravity 2010 - Abstracts from the ASEG-PESA Airborne Gravity 2010 Workshop: Published jointly by Geoscience Australia and the Geological Survey of New South Wales, Geoscience Australia Record 2010/23 and GSNSW File GS2010/0457, 37-43.
  4. Dransfield, M.H. and Christensen, A.N. [2013] Performance of airborne gravity gradiometers. The Leading Edge, 32(8), 908-922.
  5. Howard, D., M. Gujic, and R. Lane, 2010, The Kauring airborne gravity and airborne gravity gradiometer test site, Western Australia: in RJL Lane (editor), Airborne Gravity 2010 Abstracts from the ASEG-PESA Airborne Gravity 2010 Workshop: Published jointly by Geoscience Australia and the Geological Survey of New South Wales, Geoscience Australia Record 2010/23 and GSNSW File GS2010/0457, pp. 107-114.
  6. Moody, M. V., and H. J. Paik, 2004, A Superconducting Gravity Gradiometer for Inertial Navigation: Position Location and Navigation Symposium PLANS 2004: doi: 10.1109/PLANS.2004.1309073.
  7. Moody, M. V., and H. J. Paik, 2007, Cross-component superconducting gravity gradiometer with improved linearity and sensitivity and method for gravity gradient sensing: U. S. Patent 7,305,879.
  8. van Kann, F., 2004, Requirements and general principles of airborne gravity gradiometers for mineral exploration: in R. Lane, ed., Airborne Gravity 2004 - Abstracts from the ASEG-PESA Airborne Gravity 2004 Workshop, Geoscience Australia Record 2004/18, 1-5.
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  • Article Type: Research Article
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