Refinement of the geopotential scale factorR 0 on

Altimetric measurements of the GEOSAT satellite were used for the determination of geopotential scale factorR ₀. The geopotential valueW ₀ on the geoid surface was then computed (W ₀ =GM/R ₀).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 valueW ₀ on the mean geoid surface in this way is very promising. An associated value withW ₀ - the geopotential scale factorR ₀ - seems to be a very good Earth dimension defining quantity. Moreover, there are many possible applications ofW ₀ (R ₀) in modern geophysics.The incorporation of one of these parameters - we now recommendR ₀ - into the set of the Primary Geodetic Parameters (PGP) is discussed and suggested.