GRACE-FO | Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment-Follow-On Mission
The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment-Follow-On (GRACE-FO) Mission, successfully launched on 22 May 2018, is a joint NASA-GFZ project to continue the objectives of the original GRACE (2002-2017) mission and provide continuity for the GRACE data set.
The primary objective of the GRACE-FO Mission is to obtain precise global and high-resolution models for both the static and the time variable components of the Earth's gravity field. As in the original GRACE mission, this goal is achieved by making accurate measurements of the inter-satellite range between two co-planar, low altitude polar orbiting twin satellites using a K/Ka-Band microwave tracking system. Additionally, each satellite carries geodetic quality Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers for precise positioning, a Laser Retro-Reflector (LRR) for independent ranging from ground, and high accuracy accelerometers to precisely measure the non-gravitational accelerations acting on the satellite.
As a secondary goal, GRACE-FO carries a Laser Ranging Interferometer (LRI) as a technology demonstration. It provides, as the microwave system, inter-satellite range changes, but with much higher accuracy, and demonstrates laser-ranging technology in support of future GRACE-like missions. Another secondary objective is the continuation of GRACE radio occultation measurements.
The GRACE-FO project is executed in the US under the direction of the NASA Earth Science Division (ESD) within the NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and the Earth Systematic Missions Program Office at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is assigned responsibility for the GRACE-FO project.
The GRACE-FO mission has significant German participation managed by the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ). Funding of the German contributions was jointly secured by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), the Helmholtz Association (HGF), the German Aerospace Center (DLR) (LRI in kind contributions) and the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ).
The overall agreement between NASA and GFZ was defined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the roles and responsibilities are described in a Cooperative Project Plan (CPP). According to that GFZ is responsible for
- Science data exploitation and dissemination within the joint US/German Science Data System (SDS) including release of product versions of the GRACE-FO science data products through their Information System and Data Center (ISDC),
- Provision of developments for the Experimental Laser Ranging Interferometer (LRI),
- Provision of a Launch Vehicle and Launch Services,
- Provision of Laser Retro-Reflectors (LRR) for each spacecraft,
- Mission operation (with US-support and subcontracted to DLR/GSOC with GFZ in-kind funding) and
- Leading the European Science Team.
Details on the various mission elements, recent news or related publications are described in the corresponding links below.
In the following table the most important events during the realization and operation of GRACE-FO are chronologically listed.
2024
10.10.2024 | The GRACE/GRACE-FO Science Team Meeting (GSTM) 2024 took place at the Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam, Germany, from 8 to 10 October 2024. Further details are provided here.
20.09.2024 | The GRACE-FO mission and Science Data System status and further plans are described in newsletter Nr. 26.
13.09.2024 | The next GRACE-FO Science Team Meeting will take place from October 8 to 10, 2024 at GFZ in Potsdam (Germany). Background information, which will be further updated in the very next time, is available here. Important note: The deadline for on-site registration is Sunday, 29 September 2024, 23:59 CEST (virtual registration is possible until the end of the meeting).
15.07.2024 | The next GRACE-FO Science Team Meeting will take place from October 8 to 10, 2024 at GFZ in Potsdam (Germany). Background information, which will be further updated in the very next time, is available here.
15.04.2024 | The GRACE-FO mission and Science Data System status and further plans are described in newsletter Nr. 25.
05.02.2024 | The next GRACE-FO Science Team Meeting will take place from October 8 to 10, 2024 at GFZ in Potsdam (Germany). Further information will follow in the course of the next months.
2023
29.08.2023 | The GRACE-FO mission and Science Data System status and further plans are described in newsletter Nr. 24.
27.07.2023: The GRACE/GRACE-FO Science Team Meeting 2023 web site is now open. On this site you will find registration and abstract links, and important logistical details. Please help the Organizing Commitee to plan a productive and efficient meeting by submitting your abstracts and registering your participation sooner than later. Travel and accommodation options can be found on the meeting site.
Location:
UCAR Center Green, 3080 Center Green Drive, Boulder, CO 80301
Note: Remote live participation via Zoom is available (registration still required!)
Meeting Dates:
October 16-18, 2023
Important Dates / Deadlines:
Abstract Submission Deadline: October 2, 2023
Registration Deadline: October 5, 2023
Presentation Upload Deadline: October 10, 2023
Meeting Dates: October 16-18; 8:30am-5:30pm MDT
Reception: Monday, October 16th from 6:00pm-8:00pm MDT (Center Green)
11.05.2023 | The GRACE-FO mission and Science Data System status and further plans are described in newsletter Nr. 23. The 2023 GRACE-FO Science Team Meeting will take place in Boulder, CO, USA from Oct 16 – 18. A summary of the 2022 GRACE-FO Science Team Meeting, which took place October 18-20 at GFZ Potsdam, is available in NASA’s Earth Observer Jan/Feb newsletter issue.
2022
05.12.2022 | The GRACE-FO mission and Science Data System status and further plans are described in newsletter Nr. 22. Proceedings and presentations from the recent 2022 GRACE/GRACE-FO STM (Oct 18-20 at GFZ, Potsdam) are available online.
23.11.2022 | The ESA Council at Ministerial level held in Paris gave green light to realize a Mass-change And Geoscience International Constellation (MAGIC). MAGIC will be a double pair constellation based on the polar flying GRACE-FO successor launched end of 2027 and a further advanced pair planned to be launched in 2031 into an inclined orbit. This will significantly increase the spatial and temporal resolution of mass transport products.
10.11.2022 | In support of gap-less data continuity of gravity and mass change observations, the German Bundestag has funded the German mission elements for a GRACE-FO successor (e.g., Mass Change Mission). This mission shall be realized again in US-German partnership.
20.10.2022 | The GRACE/GRACE-FO Science Team Meeting (GSTM) 2022 took place at the Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam, Germany, from 18 to 20 October 2022. The meeting was held in a hybrid format with a total number of 167 participants (on-site: 91, online: 76). Further background is available at the meeting website https://www.gstm-2022.eu.
20.08.2022| The GRACE-FO mission and Science Data System status and further plans are described in newsletter Nr. 21.
20.08.2022 | The GRACE-FO Science Team Meetingis coming up! It will take place from Oct 18-20, 2022 at GFZ (Potsdam, Germany). We are planning for a hybrid meeting (in-person and remote participation options). Abstract submission will be open from Aug 22, 2022 through Sep 11, 2022. Please visit the meeting website (https://www.gstm-2022.eu) for current information and GSTM-SOC contact information.
30.05.2022| The GRACE-FO mission and Science Data System status and further plans are described in newsletter Nr. 20 .
15.05.2022 | The GSTM2022 will take place in person on 18-20 October 2022. The associated website with important dates and background information will be online soon.
15.03.2022| The GRACE-FO mission and Science Data System status and further plans are described in newsletter Nr. 19.
2021
26.11.2021 | The GRACE-FO mission and Science Data System status and further plans are described in newsletter Nr. 18.
05.10.2021 | The GRACE-FO Science Team Meeting 2022 will take place at GFZ Potsdam (Germany) in the week of October 17-21, 2022. The way (online, hybrid, in person) will be decided depending on the development of the Covid-19 pandemic situation.
19.09.2021 | The 2021 GRACE-FO Science Team Meeting will take place on October 12-13 and 19-20 as a virtual meeting. Further information is available at https://sites.google.com/view/gfo-stm2021/ .
07.06.2021 | The GRACE-FO mission and Science Data System status and further plans are described in newsletter Nr. 17. The two GRACE-FO satellites are doing well and on May-22, 2021 the project celebrated their 3rd launch anniversary! We are on track to extend the GRACE data record by 3 years (with the May-2021 fields), and the combined GRACE/GRACE-FO Mass Change climate data record is now extending into its 20th year. As we’re entering the summer of 2021, increased vaccine distribution and availability makes us hopeful that there is a viable pathway out of this pandemic. Still, large uncertainties around Covid and related travel restrictions continue to make planning for an in-person fall GSTM challenging. We currently plan for a hybrid meeting with both in-person and remote participation options during Oct 5-8, 2021 – please mark your calendars accordingly. The meeting location is not yet finalized, but will be in the US. We will communicate updates as they become available, we appreciate your patience. In any case, the GSTM2021 abstract solicitation will open towards early August.
17.02.2021 | The GRACE-FO mission and Science Data System status and further plans are described in the monthly newsletter Nr. 16.
2020
09.12.2020 | The GRACE-FO mission and Science Data System status and further plans are described in the monthly newsletter Nr. 15.
08.12.2020 | The GCOS (Global Climate Observing System) Steering Committee has accepted a proposal of establishing Terrestrial Water Storage (TWS) as a new Essential Climate Variable (ECV). This is an important milestone of further establishing and recognizing time-variable gravity and mass change as a fundamental long-term climate indicator.
16.09.2020 | The GRACE-FO mission and Science Data System status and further plans are described in the monthly newsletter Nr. 14.
28.07.2020 | The GRACE-FO mission and Science Data System status and further plans are described in the monthly newsletter Nr. 13.
27.07.2020 | Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and associated disruptions, the conventional layout for an in-person GRACE/GRACE-FO Science Team Meeting at GFZ is unfortunately not possible. Instead, the Scientific Organizing Committee is planning for an online meeting (Oct 26-30, 2020). Information how the GSTM2020 will be conducted is now available at www.gstm-2020.eu. Abstract submission and registration will start on Monday, August 24th, 2020.
02.06.2020 | The GRACE-FO mission and Science Data System status and further plans are described in the monthly newsletter Nr. 12.
11.03.2020 | The GRACE-FO mission and Science Data System status and further plans are described in the monthly newsletter Nr. 11.
27.01.2020 | The GRACE-FO mission and Science Data System status and further plans are described in the monthly newsletter Nr. 9&10.
27.01.2020 | The GRACE-FO Science Team Meeting 2020 (GSTM) will be held at the German Research Center for Geosciences in Potsdam, Germany. Further information will be made available approximately in May 2020 on a dedicated web site.
2019
17.11.2019 | The GRACE-FO mission and Science Data System status and further plans are described in the monthly newsletter Nr. 8.
17.10.2019 | The GRACE-FO mission and Science Data System status and further plans are described in the monthly newsletter Nr. 7.
08.-10.10.2019 | The GRACE-FO Science Team Meeting (GSTM) will be held at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA, USA. Further information is available at https://sites.google.com/view/gfostm2019/.
27.09.2019 | The GRACE-FO mission and Science Data System status and further plans are described in the monthly newsletter Nr. 6.
25.08.2019 | The GRACE-FO mission and Science Data System status and further plans are described in the monthly newsletter Nr. 5.
30.07.2019 | The GRACE-FO Project is pleased to announce the release of the first Level 1A/B data from the Laser Ranging Interferometer technology demonstration instrument, available now at NASA’s PO.DAAC and GFZ’s Information System and Data Center (ISDC). This release contains products for 2018-06-11 (first instrument power-on) through 2019-07-05, and LRI products beyond 2019-07-05 will be made available in synch with the nominal Level-1 data releases. Please refer to the Level-1 Release Notes (at NASA’s PO.DAAC or GFZ’s ISDC) for important information, and to the Level-1 handbook (at PO.DAAC or ISDC) for a detailed description of data formats and processing conventions. This first LRI data release is based on JPL Level-1 processing software release version ‘v04’. The GRACE-FO Project team welcomes user feedback on LRI Level-1 data quality and performance in support of efforts to further refine data processing of this novel and exciting new ranging measurement.
20.07.2019 | The In-Orbit Performance of the GRACE Follow-on Laser Ranging Interferometer has been published.
19.07.2019 | The GRACE-FO mission and Science Data System status and further plans are described in the monthly newsletter Nr. 4.
01.07.2019 | The GRACE-FO mission and Science Data System status and further plans are described in the monthly newsletter Nr. 3.
12.06.2019 | GRACE-FO Science Data System Level-2 data products from JPL, GFZ and CSR are now available at NASA’s Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center (PO.DAAC) and GFZ’s Information System and Data Center (ISDC). This first product release includes nine monthly gravity field products, as well as the corresponding atmosphere and ocean dealiasing (AOD) background model data, spanning the period from June-2018 through April-2019. Subsequent monthly Level-2 products will be available at PO.DAAC and ISDC on a monthly basis starting in July-2019. The Level-2 data set release notes and documentation for a detailed description of the data, file formats, updates (w.r.t. GRACE) , conventions, as well as important processing recommendations are available at https://podaac-tools.jpl.nasa.gov/drive/files/allData/gracefo/docs and ftp://isdcftp.gfz-potsdam.de/grace-fo/DOCUMENTS. The GRACE Follow-On Project team is looking forward to presentations and discussions of data quality, findings and analyses at the Science Team Meeting in Pasadena this fall (Oct 8-10, 2019).
23.05.2019 | GRACE-FO Level-1 data products are now available at NASA’s Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center (PO.DAAC) and GFZ’s Information System and Data Center (ISDC). This first product release includes all Level-1 data necessary for the generation of Level-2 gravity field products. The data span the period from June 2018, initial power-up of the instruments during in orbit check out (IOC), through early May 2019, the most recent data available in the operational Phase E. Subsequent Level-1 products will be available at PO.DAAC and ISDC approximately every 7 days starting on May-30. Corresponding Level-2 gravity field products will begin to be available starting on June-10, with the complete first mission year delivered to each data center by end of June. Subsequent Level-2 monthly gravity field products will be available at PO.DAAC and ISDC on a regular basis starting in July 2019. Please refer to Level-1 release notes and documentation for a detailed description of the data, file formats, updates, and conventions.
22.03.2019 | The GRACE-FO mission and Science Data System status and further plans are described in the monthly newsletter for January-March 2019.
28.01.2019 | The GRACE-FO mission exited Phase-D (in-orbit-checkout) and entered Phase-E and the beginning of science operations.
2018
08.12.2018 | The GRACE-FO mission and Science Data System status and further plans are described in the monthly newsletter for October/November 2018
02.11.2018 | After a detailed investigation by a team of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the backup IPU in the Microwave Instrument was successfully powered up on GFO-2 on 19 Oct. The backup IPU is performing nominally and satellite data collection could be re-established. Further details can be found at GFZ or NASA.
14.09.2018 | The GRACE-FO mission has not acquired science data since July 19 due to an anomaly with a component (the Instrument Processing Unit) of the Microwave Instrument (MWI) on one of the GRACE-FO spacecraft (GFO-2). The mission team is completing its investigation into the cause of the anomaly. The mission team plans to switch to a backup system in the MWI end of September. Following the switch-over, GRACE-FO is expected to quickly resume science data collection. Further information is available at GFZ or JPL .
14.06.2018 | First light for GRACE Follow-On Laser Interferometer: For the first time, laser interferometry between two satellites in space measures their 220-kilometer distance to nanometer precision. Further details can be found here.
29.05.2018 | K-band ranging between both satellites has been started. Further details can be found here.
28.05.2018 | On both satellites the accelerometers have been successfully switched on.
26.05.2018 | The Launch and Early Operations Phase has been successfully and untimely completed. The mean altitude (above 6378.1 km) of the satellites was 491.5 km, the distance between the satellites 216.7 km with a drift of 0.4 km/d. On both satellites the USO (Ultra Stable Oscillator), GPS and MWA (Microwave Assembly) have been switched on.
22.05.2018 | Successfull Launch of GRACE-FO at 19:47 UTC which was a rideshare with 5 Iridium-Next satellites on a SpaceX/Falcon-9 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The launch event (in German language) at GFZ can be viewed here.
27.03.2018 | Successful Key Decision Point E Review to transit in phase E (KDP-E).
13.03.2018 | The Mission Readiness Review (MRR) was successfully passed at NASA headquarter in Washington.
18./19.01.2018 | The Operations Readiness Review (ORR) was successfully passed at DLR/GSOC in Oberpfaffenhofen.
2017
12.12.2017 | Transport of the satellites, the MSD and further equipment from IABG in Ottobrunn to Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Further details can be found here.
10.11.2017 | Press conference on the successfully completion of the environmental qualification tests of the twin GRACE-FO satellites at IABG in Ottobrunn. Further details can be found here
07./08.11.2017 | The Pre-ship Review (PSR) has been successfully performed at Airbus Defence and Space in Friedrichshafen.
12.10.2017 | The Science Data System Readiness Review has been successfully performed at UTCSR in Austin/Texas.
19.09.2017 | The separation test between the MSD and the spacecraft dummies has been successfully performed.
11.-15.09.2007 | The EGSIEM Autumn School on Satellite Gravimetry Applications took place in Potsdam, Germany at GFZ, the German Research Centre for Geosciences. Around 45 participants from 16 different countries (plus 12 lecturers) enjoyed a very interesting week in Potsdam. In various lectures and practical (computer) exercises they learned how to handle the GRACE and future GRACE-FO data and how to use the information for various geophysical applications. Further information is available at www.egsiem.eu/139-potsdam-autumn-school
18.07.2017 | The mechanical fit check between the SpaceX Payload Adapter Ring and the MSD was successfully performed.
17.07.2017 | The mechanical fit check between the MSD and the two GRACE-FO spacecraft has been successfully performed.
07.07.2017 | The MSD was delivered to IABG.
07.02.2017 | The Multi Satellite Dispenser (MSD) Critical Design Review (CDR) has been successfully performed at Airbus Defence and Space S.A. (CASA Espacio premises), Madrid, Spain.
2016
14.11.2016 | As the Russian/Ukraine Dnepr and corresponding launch services can no longer be provided by the International Space Company Kosmotras (ISCK), the joint NASA-GFZ Joint Steering Group has decided to exchange the GRACE-FO launcher. The corresponding contract was signed today by the Board of GFZ and Iridium Satellite LLC. This includes a "Rideshare" between GRACE-FO and 5 Iridium-Next satellites on a Space-X Falcon-9 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California within the launch period December 2017 till February 2018. This also includes a contract with Airbus D&S who will build the necessary Multi Satellite Dispenser and will perform the Launch Service Management under contract of GFZ. Further information can be found here.
01.11.2016 | The Environmental Test Campaign for FM1 has begun at IABG.
28.10.2016 | Airbus D&S has completed the first of the twin GRACE-FO satellites. More infos can be found here.
21./22.09.2016 | The Environmental Test Readiness Review was successfully passed at at the IABG (Industrieanlagen-Betriebsgesellschaft mbH) in Ottobrun.
2015
08/2015-10/2016 | Integration of the instruments and satellites at Airbus D&S
21.-22.07.2015 | The System Integration Review (SIR) was sucessfully passed at Airbus in Immenstaad.
26.05.2015 | Airbus Defence and Space begins building GRACE-FO climate satellites. Further information can be found here.
29./30.04.2015 | The Mission Operations System (MOS) Critical Design Review (CDR) has been successfully accomplished at GFZ/GSOC in Oberpfaffenhofen.
26.03.2015 | The joint US/D Science Data System (SDS) Critical Design Review (CDR) has been successfully accomplished at JPL, Pasadena.
25.-26.02.2015 | The 5. Launcher Progress Meeting was held at STI.
02.-05.02.2015 | The Project Critical Design Review (CDR) was sucessfully passed at Airbus in Immenstaad.
2014
19.-20.11.2014 | The 4. Launcher Progress Meeting was held at STI.
29.-31.07.2014 | The Launch System Preliminary Design Review (PDR) has been successfully accomplished at STI in Immenstaad.
16.-17.07.2014 | The Mission Operations System (MOS) Preliminary Design Review (PDR) has been successfully accomplished at DLR/GSOC in Oberpfaffenhofen.
26.06.2014 | The joint US/D Science Data System (SDS) Preliminary Design Review (PDR) has been successfully accomplished at JPL, Pasadena.
05.06.2014 | The joint US/D Laser Ranging Interferometer (LRI) Critical Design Review (CDR) has been successfully accomplished at JPL, Pasadena.
15.05.2014 | The Microwave Instrument (MWI) Critical Design Review (CDR) has been successfully accomplished at JPL, Pasadena.
02.05.2014 | A European GRACE-FO Science Team Meeting took place during the EGU conference in Vienna.
28.-30.04.2014 | The 3. Launcher Progress Meeting was held at STI.
19.02.2014 | The 2. Launcher Progress Meeting took place at STI.
11.02.2014 | The Board of the German Research Centre for Geosciences has signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NASA Administrator Charles Bolden Jr. to mutually realize the follow-on mission of GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment). The corresponding press release can be found here.
21.-24.01.2014 | The Project Preliminary Design Review (PDR) was sucessfully passed at Airbus in Immenstaad. The transition into phase C happened on March 3, 2014.
2013
19.12.2013 | The 1. Launcher Progress Meeting was accomplished at STI.
16.12.2013 | The LRI Maturity Assessment Review took place at JPL.
06.12.2013 | The contract to provide the DNEPR launcher and corresponding launch services has been signed by GFZ and the International Space Company Kosmotras (ISCK).
18.-19.11.2013 | The Accelerometer Preliminary Design Review was held at ONERA, France.
28.10.2013 | The Flight System Star Tracker Mission Readiness Review took place at the Danish Technical University (DTU), Copenhagen.
22.10.2013 | A GRACE-FO Science Data System Meeting took place in Austin, Texas, in forefront of the GSTM2013.
21.-22.10.2013 | The Launch Vehicle Kick-off Meeting was held at STI in Immenstaad.
18.10.2013 | The On-Board Computer (OBC) Mission Readiness Review was held at Thales-Alenia, Italy.
15.-16.10.2013 | The Power and Thermal Preliminary Design Review was held at Astrium GmbH in Immenstaad.
02.-03.10.2013 | The Flight Software Preliminary Design Review was held in Bristol, England.
03.09.2013 | The European GRACE-FO Science Team Kick-off Meeting took place during the IAG2013 conference in Potsdam.
16.-17.07.2013 | The Accelerometer Electronics Preliminary Design Review was held at Onera in Paris.
20.06.2013 | GFZ and NASA have jointly selected the DNEPR rocket to launch GRACE-FO in August 2017.
17.06.2013 | The funds for the German participation in GRACE-FO have now been approved by BMBF. Further information can be found here.
30.-31.05 2013 | The joint US/D Laser Ranging Interferometer (LRI) Preliminary Design Review (PDR) has been successfully accomplished at JPL, Pasadena.
16.05.2013 | Firm agreement by BMBF to GFZ to provide funds for the realization of the German mission elements within time frame 01.10.2012 and 31.08.2017.
06.-07.05.2013 | The Laser Ranging Interferometer (LRI) Tripple Mirror Assembly (TMA) Subsystem Preliminary Design Review (PDR) has been successfully accomplished at Cassidian, Oberkochen, and SpaceTech, Immenstaad.
29.04.2013 | The Microwave Instrument (MWI) Preliminary Design Review (PDR) has been successfully accomplished at JPL, Pasadena.
23.-26.04.2013 | The Laser Ranging Interferometer (LRI) Optical Bench System (OBS) Subsystem Preliminary Design Review (PDR) has been successfully accomplished at DLR, Berlin, Astrium, Friedrichshafen, and SpaceTech, Immenstaad.
22.04.2013 | The Microwave Instrument (MWI) Preliminary Design Review was held at JPL.
15.03.2013 | GRACE-FO Science Data System (SDS) Kick-off Meeting, JPL, Pasadena
14.03.2013 | The Laser Ranging Interferometer (LRI) Laser Stabilization Cavity Subsystem Critical Design Review (CDR) has been successfully accomplished at Ball Aerospace.
07.-08.03.2013 | The K-Band Ranging (KBR) Subsystem Mechanical/Thermal Preliminary Design Review (PDR) has been successfully accomplished at Astrium, Friedrichshafen.
28.02.2013 | The Ultra-Stable Oscillator (USO) Critical Design Review (CDR) has been successfully accomplished at the John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland/USA.
26.-28.02.2013 | The Attitude and Orbit Control System (AOCS) Preliminary Design Review (PDR) has been successfully accomplished at Astrium, Friedrichshafen.
09.01.2013 | The US Laser Ranging Interferometer (LRI) Preliminary Design Review (PDR) has been successfully accomplished at JPL, Pasadena.
2012
29.11.2012 | Astrium will build, as for GRACE, under contract of JPL the GRACE-FO satellites. The corresponding agreement has been signed today in Friedrichshafen. Further informationen you can found at GFZ or at Astrium.
14.11.2012 | The Laser Preliminary Design Review (PDR) has been successfully accomplished at TESAT.
01.11.2012 | The LRI Laser Cavity Preliminary Design Review (PDR) has been successfully accomplished at JPL, Pasadena.
01.10.2012 | The BMBF assured GFZ of funding of the German project contributions within a Letter of Intent (LOI).
27.09.2012 | The Satellite Structure Inheritance Review has been successfully accomplished at Astrium, Friedrichshafen.
25.09.2012 | The Mass Trim Mechanism (MTE) and Mass Trim Equipment (MTE) Inheritance Review (PDR) have been successfully accomplished at Astrium, Friedrichshafen.
03.09.2012 | Begin of Phase-B
01.-02.08.2012 | German Kick-off Meeting of the Laser Ranging Interferometer (LRI) at DLR, Bremen
11.07.2012 | The Mission Definition (MDR) and System Requirements Review (SRR) has been successfully accomplished at JPL/NASA.
21.06.2012 | The star camera Preliminary Design Review (PDR) has been successfully accomplished at DTU in Denmark.
19.06.2012 | The S/W Coding Preliminary Design Review (PDR) has been successfully accomplished at Astrium, Friedrichshafen.
15.-16.05.2012 | A delegation of NASA/JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) has visited GFZ to discuss the Memorundum of Understanding between NASA and GFZ and the Cooperative Project Plan between JPL and GFZ in the frame of the GRACE-FO satellite mission. These to contracts and documents describe the roles and responsibilities within the mission. GFZ will be responsible for the launcher and launch services, mission operations, provision of Laser Retro-Reflectors (LRR) for each satellite and contributions to the Laser Ranging Interferometer (LRI) and the Science Data System developments.
22.03.2012 | The onboard computer (OBC) Preliminary Design Review (PDR) has been successfully accomplished at TAS in Milano, Italy.
19.03.2012 | The Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) Preliminary Design Review (PDR) has been successfully accomplished at Astrium, Toulouse.
01.01.2012 | Begin of Phase-A
2011
28.10.2011 | The Mission Concept Review (MCR) has been successfully accomplished at JPL, Pasadena.
25.10.2011 | State Secretary Schütte (BMBF) assured NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden Jr. the joint funding of German GRACE-FO contributions „Provision of a launcher and launch services, mission operations (with US support), scientific analysis and dissemination, contribution to a joint development of a experimental Laser Ranging Interferometer (LRI) as well as provision of Laser Retro-Reflectors (LRR) for each satellite“ by BMBF, BMWi, HGF, GFZ and DLR.
20.07.2011 | NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden Jr. invited BMBF, BMWi, HGF, GFZ and DLR to build a GRACE Follow-on mission „GRACE-FO“ again in German-US partnership.
2009
06.10.2009 | Meeting at GFZ in Potsdam of the German-US GRACE partners on invitation of Prof. Hüttl. JPL, UTCSR, Astrium, STI and GFZ decided to jointly work on the realization of GRACE continuation mission.
The main function of the SDS is the processing of the GRACE-FO science data. This includes the generation of GRACE-FO Level-0 to Level-3 products as well as their distribution and archiving. Just as the whole mission, the GRACE-FO SDS is a joint US/German cooperation consisting of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the University of Texas Center for Space Research (UTCSR) and the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ). Thereby, internal validation and comparison of the science products are assured and in addition, backup capabilities concerning data processing and archiving are present.
A detailed description of the GRACE-FO SDS including the roles and responsibilities of the SDS institutions, the data flow and the products and documents to be provided will be written down in a Science Data System Development Plan. In the following, the key aspects of the SDS are described very briefly.
Level-1 Processing
Starting from Level-0 data, i.e. the raw telemetry data received from the two GRACE-FO satellites, the Level-1 processing comprises two steps. During the first step, the binary encoded Level-0 measurements are converted to engineering units. Subsequently, the resulting Level-1A data are correctly time tagged and their sampling rate is reduced to obtain the Level-1B products. The essential Level-1B data are the K/Ka-Band Microwave Link and the Laser Ranging Interferometer measurements and the GPS, accelerometer and star camera observations. The GRACE-FO Level-1 processing will be performed by JPL with GFZ as backup capability.
Level-1 processing also includes the generation of atmosphere and ocean de-aliasing products (AOD1B) which will be done by GFZ.
Level-2 Processing
Using Level-1B data, spherical harmonic coefficients representing the Earth’s gravitational potential are estimated. These coefficients are typically based on monthly batches of Level-1B data, so that the resulting Level-2 products build a time-series of monthly global gravity field models. The standard Level-2 products are due 60 days after Level-0 data acquisition; besides, operations of low latency NRT (“Near Real Time”) products will also be investigated. GRACE-FO Level-2 products will be generated by all three SDS partners.
As additional Level-2 products, monthly means of the AOD1B de-aliasing products (so-called GAx-products) are generated and provided in order to offer users to restore the corresponding atmospheric and/or oceanic signals.
Level-3 Processing
In addition to the Level-2 products, more user-friendly Level-3 products are generated by transforming the spherical harmonic coefficients to gridded geopotential functionals (e.g. water equivalent mass change). Level-3 products also comprise ancillary data like time-series of geocenter motion or SLR derived C20 (describing the Earth’s oblateness) which need to be applied for correct geophysical interpretation of the Level-2 products. A limited number of official GRACE-FO Level-3 products will be generated by JPL; in order to expand the variety of offered products and to appeal to as much users as possible, GFZ is planning to provide additional own Level-3 products.
Archiving
All GRACE-FO SDS Level-0 to Level-3 products as well as the corresponding documents will be archived at JPL/NASA's Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Data Center (PODAAC) and at GFZ’s Information System and Data Center (ISDC). To guarantee that one archive is a mirror of the other, both archives will be harmonized regularly.
As the Russian/Ukraine Dnepr and corresponding launch services can no longer be provided by the International Space Company Kosmotras (ISCK), the joint NASA-GFZ Joint Steering Group has decided to exchange the GRACE-FO launcher. The corresponding contract was signed on 14. November 2016 by the Board of GFZ and Iridium Satellite LLC. It stipulates a "Rideshare" between GRACE-FO and 5 Iridium-Next satellites on a Space-X Falcon-9 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California within the launch period December 2017 till February 2018. This also includes a contract with Airbus D&S who will build the necessary Multi Satellite Dispenser and will perform the Launch Service Management under contract of GFZ. The GRACE-FO satellites will be launched into a co-planar orbit and following (GRACE-like) orbital parameters:
- a = 500 ± 15 km
- i = 89.0 ± 0.1°
- e < 0.0025
Further information can be found here.
Satellite System (SAT)
JPL leads the development of the Satellite System (SAT) in partnership (contract) with Astrium GmbH. Astrium provides major elements of two flight satellites based on an existing small satellite design for the CHAMP, GRACE and SWARM missions. The GRACE-FO satellites are shown in the following figure.
The Satellite System (SAT) consists of the following sub-systems where most are available with main and redundant units.
Telemetry, Tracking & Control (TT&C)
The Telemetry, Tracking & Control (TT&C) activities are carried out using a pyro-deployed S-Band receive and transmit antenna, mounted on a nadir-facing deployable boom. Two back-up zenith antennae, one each for transmitting and receiving, along with the appropriate RF electronics assembly, complete the telemetry and telecommand sub-system.
The telecommand function of the satellite is designed according to the ESA CCSDS (Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems) Packet Telecommand Standard tailored for GRACE-FO Packet Utilization Standard (G-PUS) with adaptations mutually agreed with the German Space Operation Center (GSOC). The satellites support the command and control capabilities of the MOS by means of:
- high priority commands of priority 1 (HPC1), which are directly handled by the telecommand decoder and by-passes all OBC (On-board Computer) software
- normal telecommands, which will be processed by the OBC on-board software.
After reception of the uplinked command stream via the S-band antenna and the receiver of the RF Electronic Assembly, the telecommands are decoded in above two command categories. The High Priority Commands of level 1 (HPC 1) are directly executed within the telecommand module of the OBC; i.e. corresponding bi-stable relays are set. The normal telecommands are read from the telecommand handler of the on-board flight S/W via system calls. The telecommand handler further validates and converts the telecommand packets into on-board command packets (OCP's). The on-board command packets are further distributed according to their indicated functionality.
Power System
The Power System is responsible for generation, storage, conditioning and distribution of electrical power in accordance with instrument and satellite bus users needs. Electrical energy is generated using solar arrays of triple junction Gallium Arsenid (GaAs) cells, placed on the top and side exterior surface of the satellites. Excess energy is stored in a battery of Li-Ion cells with a capacity of 66 Ah at mission start. The power bus delivers unregulated power to all users at the respective user interface.
Thermal Control
The Thermal Control System consists of 96 independent heater circuits, 128 YSI-type thermistors and 36 PT-type thermistors for in-flight temperature housekeeping, monitoring and heater control, as well as for on-ground verification testing.
On-Board Computer (OBC) System
The On-Board Computer (OBC) System provides processor and software resources, as well as necessary I/O capabilities for AOCS (Attitude and Orbit Control System), Power and Thermal Systems operations, including necessary fault detection, isolation and recovery operations.
Attitude and Orbit Control System (AOCS) The Attitude and Orbit Control System (AOCS) consists of sensors, actuators and software to:
- Provide adequate knowledge of satellite attitude during all phases of the mission,
- Generate on-board error signals to accurately maintain satellite attitude,
- Provide necessary orbital control to satisfy the GRACE-FO mission requirements.
The sensors include a Coarse Earth Sun Sensor (CESS), an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and a fluxgate magnetometer, as well as the Star Tracker Assembly (STR) and GNSS receiver described in the Satellite Instrument System (SIS) page.
The CESS provides for omni-directional, coarse attitude measurement in the initial acquisition, survival and stand-by modes of the satellite. It comprises of six thermistors orthogonally mounted on the satellite. By assuming that the Sun is the hottest object in the field of view and the earth is the second hottest object in the field of view, the CESS provides the Sun and Earth vectors relative to the body frame at a rate of 1 Hz and accuracy of 5-degrees [TBC].
The IMU is used in survival modes and provides 4-axis rate information. The unit comprises of three solid-state fiber optic gyros, and three solid-state silicon accelerometers that measures velocity and angle changes in a coordinate system fixed relative to its case.
A fluxgate magnetometer provides additional rate information.
The actuators for the AOCS include a Cold Gas Assembly and a Magnetorquer System. The GN2 reaction control system includes two pressure vessels, valves, regulators and filters, along with 12 attitude control thrusters and two orbit control thrusters. Three magnetorquers with linear dipole moments of 27.5 Am2 complete the set of AOCS actuators.
Star Tracker Assembly (STR)
The µASC Star Tracker Assembly (STR) determines the orientation of the satellite by tracking it relative to the position of the stars. These measurements are used for fine-pointing and on-board control of the satellite. Additionally they are required for the interpretation of measurements made in the satellite reference frame, such as those from the SuperSTAR accelerometer (see in the Satellite Instrument System (SIS) page).
The SCA consists of three temperature controlled CCD star cameras mounted to the accelerometer, along with the respective baffle assemblies. The STR delivers its video frames to the On-Board Computer (OBC), which then computes the attitude quaternions. The OBC also acts as the power and command/control interface to the STR. Once switched on and initialized, the STR proceeds with automatic coarse attitude acquisition and then on to fine attitude derivation.
Centre of Mass Trim (CMT) Assembly
The Center of Mass Trim (CMT) Assembly consists of six (two per axis) Mass Trim Mechanisms (MTM), associated electronics, and the power and signal harness. Each MTM consists of a trim mass driven on a nut rotor with a stepper motor. The CMT Assembly is used to center the center of gravity (CG) of the satellite at the center of the proof-mass of the accelerometer after CG calibration maneuvers.
Science Instrument System (SIS)
The GRACE-FO Science Instrument System (SIS) includes all elements of the microwave inter-satellite ranging system, the GNSS receivers required for orbit determination and occultation measurements, and associated sensors, such as the star tracker and accelerometers. These elements are in general identical to GRACE, but based on up-to-date hardware (H/W) and software (S/W). In addition, a Laser Ranging Interferometer (LRI) will be added to the GRACE-FO mission for the purpose of demonstrating improved inter-satellite ranging accuracy. Additionally, GFZ provides Laser Retroreflectors (LRR) for both satellites which provide independent orbit determination control. The SIS also coordinates the integration activities of all sensors, assuring their compatibility with each other and the satellite. In the following the different SIS components are shortly summarized. Note that the Attitude and Orbit Control System (AOCS) sensors, which include besides the GNSS Receiver Assembly a Coarse Earth Sun Sensor (CESS), an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and a fluxgate magnetometer, are described in the Satellite System (SAT) page.
Microwave Instrument (MWI)
The GRACE-FO Microwave Instrument (MWI) consists of the GNSS receiver and the K-band ranging (KBR) assembly.
GNSS Receiver Assembly
The GNSS Receiver Assembly is part of the Microwave Instrument (MWI) and tracks the GNSS satellite ranging signals for
- Satellite position and clock determination for on-board operations
- Precise absolute orbit determination and time-tagging of science data
- Radio occultation measurements for atmospheric studies.
The GNSS Assembly consists of the main zenith navigation antenna, the rear back-up navigation antenna and a rear occultation antenna through which the GNSS signals are received. These signals are passed to the Signal Processing Unit (SPU), which receives, down-converts and digitizes the GNSS signals. The sampled data are passed to the Instrument Processing Unit (IPU), which extracts and delivers the GNSS phase and pseudo-range measurements. GNSS data are also the basis for the determination of the satellite position and clock estimates for use in on-board operations and for science from this GNSS data.
K-Band Ranging Assembly (KBR)
The K-band Ranging System (KBR) is another part of the MWI and provides precise (within 10 µm) measurements of the distance (and its change) between the two satellites from which the fluctuations in gravity can be determined. The KBR consists of a transmit/receive horn at the front face of the satellite, a wave-guide assembly and a Microwave Assembly (MWA). A reference signal is generated by the Ultra Stable Oscillator (USO), which is then up-converted to 24 and 32 GHz bands by the MWA, and transmitted to the other GRACE-FO satellite through the wave-guide and horn. The horn and the MWA also receive and down-converts the K-Band signals from the other satellite, using the same reference K-Band carrier that was transmitted. The received signals are passed to the SPU for digitization and in turn to the IPU for digital signal processing. The SPU ensures that the KBR signals are sampled at the same epoch as the GNSS tracking signals, ensuring precise time-tagging of the KBR data.
SuperSTAR Accelerometer (ACC)
The SuperSTAR Accelerometer measures the non-gravitational accelerations acting on the satellite. These accelerations include air drag, solar radiation pressure, Earth radiation forces, thermal forces and forces created by operating the attitude control activator. The measurements are used to model the evolution of the satellite orbits due to the non-gravitational forces, so that the contributions to the inter-satellite range change due to purely gravitational effects can be correctly discriminated. Accelerometer measurements may also be used, in conjunction with other data and models, to determine upper atmospheric density variations.
Laser Ranging Interferometer (LRI)
The LRI is a joint US/German instrument and serves as a technical demonstration to assess if precision laser interferometry can improve microwave inter-satellite ranging performance for future GRACE-like geodetic missions. Inter-satellite ranging sensitivity is one of the factors that determine the overall performance of GRACE-FO.
Laser Retro-Reflector (LRR)
The passive Laser Retro-Reflector (LRR) is contributed by GFZ and provides distance measurements of the GRACE-FO satellite orbits relative to the terrestrial ILRS tracking network. Four corner cubes are mounted on the nadir surface of the satellite, which reflect laser-ranging signals transmitted from the ground. The operating characteristics for the LRR are completely determined by the ILRS ground segment.
Mission Operations System and Mission Phases
The GRACE-FO Mission Operations System (MOS) and Ground Data System (GDS) are funded by GFZ (for the first 5 years) and sub-contracted to DLR’s (DeutschesZentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt) German Space Operation Center (GSOC) in Oberpfaffenhofen. GFZ provides the Operations Mission Manager (OMM), validated flight procedures and the Ny-Ålesund/Spitzbergen (NYA) ground station complex.
The MOS/GDS consists of the people, processes and procedures, facilities, and ground hardware and software required to operate the GRACE-FO Flight Segment (FS). These capabilities are used to monitor and control the satellite, perform initial processing of the telemetry data, and to deliver all data to the Science Data System (SDS) for further processing and generation of science products. The combination of the ground hardware and software is the Ground Data System (GDS).
The GDS is composed of the:
- Ny-Ålesund/Spitzbergen (NYA) ground station complex operated by GFZ
- Weilheim/Germany (WHM) ground station complex operated by DLR
- Neustrelitz/Germany (NSG) ground station complex operated by DLR
- Mission Control Center (MCC) located at DLR’s German Space Operations Center (GSOC) in Oberpfaffenhofen/Germany and
- Raw Data Center (RDC) operated by DLR at Neustrelitz/Germany.
Additionally MOS/GDS will make use of the following stations (if required):
- O’Higgings/Antarctica (OHG) ground station complex operated by DLR
- Inuvik/Canada (INU) ground station complex operated by DLR.
The five distinct GRACE-FO mission phases can be described as follows:
Pre-Launch (Test and Integration)
The Pre-Launch Phase C/D (Design & Development) starts about 3.5 years before launch. During this phase schedules are negotiated and the system is designed and developed. The phase begins with building and integrating subsystems and experiments into the spacecraft. In a process called ATLO (Assembly, Test, and Launch Operations) the spacecraft is assembled, integrated, and tested in a simulated space environment. Additionally, ground systems to support the mission are developed in parallel with the satellites, and are exercised along with the spacecraft during tests.
Launch and Early Operations Phase
The Launch and Early Operations Phase (LEOP) will last up to 15 days. The GRACE-FO satellites will be launched together on a single launch. Once in the desired orbit, the satellites will be simultaneously released from the upper stage of the launch vehicle, separated and start transmitting to the ground. During LEOP the basic satellite functions (incl. MWI-GPS) will be checked. At the end the satellites are insafe, stable orbits using nominal attitude control and nominal uplink and downlink communications are achieved. No anomalies exit that pose a near-term threat to the mission. The satellites will have a nominal separation distance of 220 km ± 50 km.
In-Orbit Checkout Phase
The In-orbit Checkout Phase (IOC) will last until 90 days after launch and will focus on the power-up, evaluation and calibration of the Science instruments.
Science Phase
In the Science Phase, instrument data will be routinely gathered and processed. This phase will continue until the end of the mission, and will include brief interruptions for orbit maneuvers and instrument re-calibrations.
A sub-phase is the Validation Phase which will last 120 days and focus on providing an end-to-end characterization of the Science Instrument and Data Systems.
Decommissioning Phase
The Decommissioning Phase is the final phase handling the end of mission. In this phase the satellites will be passivated followed by disposal to atmospheric reentry. Emphasis will be given to limit the generation of orbital debris, to limit the risk to the public and to comply with NASA policy directives as well as U.S. national space policy.
The links below lead to a compilation of GRACE and GRACE-FO related publications (no abstracts).
This list is periodically updated, but may be incomplete. If you are missing a reference please contact Prof. Dr. Frank Flechtner or Dr. Volker Klemann.
