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Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow On (GRACE-FO)
Status:
Future, Implementation
Mission Category:
Earth Systematic Missions, Decadal Survey 2007, Tier 3, Other
Launch Date: April 14, 2018
Launch Location: Vandenberg Air Force Base
The objective of the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow On (GRACE-FO) mission is provide high-temporal-resolution gravity field measurements for the purpose of tracking large-scale water movement. GRACE-FO is the follow-on mission to GRACE, launched in 2002.
Key Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow On Facts
| Mission/Portal Page: | https://gracefo.jpl.nasa.gov |
|---|---|
| Launch Vehicle: | SpaceX Falcon 9 |
| Altitude:Distance from sea level. | 490km |
| Inclination: | 89° |
| Origination: | NASA, German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) |
| Instruments: |
GRACE-FO uses a Microwave Instrument (MWI), which is a microwave ranging system based on global positioning system (GPS) technology, and a very sensitive accelerometer (an instrument that measures the forces on the satellites besides gravity). GRACE-FO will also have an experimental instrument called the Laser Ranging Interferometer (LRI). |
| Project Scientist(s): |
Frank Webb |
| Deputy Project Scientist(s): |
Felix Landerer |
| Program Scientist(s): |
John LaBrecque |
Related Publications:
- Sensing Gravity from Space: GRACE Follow-On (Postcards - 6.48 MB)
- Understanding Earth: Our Ocean (Booklets - 11.11 MB)
- GRACE-FO Mission Brochure (Mission Brochures - 4.82 MB)
Relevant Science Focus Areas:
- Climate Variability and Change
- Earth Surface and Interior
- Water and Energy Cycles
Relevant Science Questions:
- How does the Earth system respond to natural and human-induced changes?
- How is the global Earth system changing?
- What are the primary forcings of the Earth system?
Related Applications:
- Disaster Management
- Water Management