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GRACE-FO

Jump to: Mission Objectives, Mission Instrumentation, Mission Parameters, Additional Information

Mission Photos:

GRACE-FO Satellites
Image credit: NASA

Mission Objectives:

GRACE-FO is a successor to the GRACE mission to continue its primary goal to monitor the static and time-variable components of the Earth's gravity field. Secondly, GRACE-FO will carry a Laser Ranging Interferometer as a technology demonstrator for high accuracy inter-satellite range measurements. Also the GRACE radio occulation measurements will be continued.

GRACE-FO Mission Parameters:
Satellite GRACE-FO-1 GRACE-FO-2
Sponsor: NASA JPL and the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ). NASA JPL and the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ).
Expected Life: 5 years 5 years
Primary Applications: Monitor the static and time variable components of the Earth's gravity field. Monitor the static and time variable components of the Earth's gravity field.
Primary SLR Application: Precision orbit determination Precision orbit determination
Launch Date: May 22, 2018 May 22, 2018
COSPAR ID:    
SIC: 0123 0124
NORAD:    
NP Bin Size: 5 seconds 5 seconds
RRA Diameter:    
RRA Shape: Hemispherical/Pyramid Hemispherical/Pyramid
Reflectors: 4 corner cubes 4 corner cubes
Orbit: circular circular
Inclination: 89 degrees 89 degrees
Eccentricity: 0 degrees 0 degrees
Perigee: 500 km 500 km
Period: 90 min 90 min
Additional Information:

Web sites: