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Laser Ranging Interferometer

GRACE Follow-On – the future of satellite geodesy. Launching in 2017, this mission will be the first to use a Laser Ranging Interferometer to measure intersatellite distance changes with unprecedented precision.

GRACE Follow-On will test a Laser Ranging Interferometer to measure intersatellite distance changes with unprecedented precision.

This new technology is a heritage of the LISA project, which proposed laser interferometry between satellites. While LISA would measure the effect of gravitational waves, GRACE Follow-On studies changes in the gravitational field of Earth. Those changes are mostly caused by the movement of water, vital to humankind. Processes related to climate change such as the decline of Greenland's ice sheet mass can be studied in great detail.

This video gives an introduction to test environments in which specific components of the Laser Ranging Interferometer have been investigated. It was produced by Daniel Schütze in the framework of his PhD thesis at the Albert Einstein Institute in Hanover, Germany.

Credit

Daniel Schütze

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Visualization of the mass change over Greenland from January 2004 through June 2014. 
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Mass changes in Greenland.
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The Laser Ranging Interferometer instrument.
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The Laser Ranging Interferometer instrument.
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An artist's rendering of the twin GRACE-FO spacecraft.
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An artist's rendering of the twin GRACE-FO spacecraft in orbit around Earth.
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GRACE-FO launches aboard a Falcon 9.
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An animation showing “sea level fingerprints,” or patterns of rising and falling sea levels across the globe in response to changes in Earth’s gravitational and rotational fields. 
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An animation showing “sea level fingerprints,” or patterns of rising and falling sea levels across the globe in response to changes in Earth’s gravitational and rotational fields.
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The GRACE mission launched in 2002, changing our understanding of Earth.
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The GRACE mission launched in 2002, changing our understanding of Earth.
15 Years of GRACE
Gravity variations studied by GRACE can be used to determine ground water storage on land masses. 
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GRACE-FO arriving at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, from Germany. 
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GRACE-FO arriving at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, from Germany.
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Illustration of GRACE-FO in orbit (view 2).
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Twin spacecraft of GRACE-FO in orbit over Earth.
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Between 2002 and 2016, Antarctica shed approximately 125 gigatons of ice per year, causing global sea level to rise by 0.35 millimeters per year.
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Between 2002 and 2016, Antarctica shed approximately 125 gigatons of ice per year, causing global sea level to rise by 0.35 millimeters per year.
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GRACE Rendering  
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GRACE Rendering
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NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) has measured significant groundwater depletion around the world in recent years. 
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Monthly changes in ocean bottom pressure data obtained by the GRACE satellites from November 2002 to January 2012. 
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Monthly changes in ocean bottom pressure data obtained by the GRACE satellites from November 2002 to January 2012.
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The two GRACE-FO satellites are seen from GFZ’s Satellite Laser Ranging Station in Potsdam, Germany, on May 23, 2018 at 22:16 UTC and 22:17 UTC, respectively.
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The bright lights of the spacecraft are seen against the dark black of space.
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The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is seen with the NASA/German Research Centre for Geosciences GRACE Follow-On spacecraft onboard at Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. 
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The SpaceX Falcon 9 that will carry GRACE-FO to orbit sits on the launchpad.
GRACE-FO in Falcon 9 on Launchpad
A 3D interactive model of NASA's GRACE-FO spacecraft.
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A 3D model of NASA's GRACE-FO spacecraft.
GRACE-FO 3D Model
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Work begins to build NASA’s twin satellites, under construction by Airbus Defense and Space.
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For 15 years, the GRACE mission has unlocked mysteries of how water moves around our planet. It gave us the first view of underground aquifers from space, and shows how fast polar ice sheets and mo...
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For 15 years, the GRACE mission has unlocked mysteries of how water moves around our planet. It gave us the first view of underground aquifers from space, and shows how fast polar ice sheets and mountain glaciers are melting.
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Illustration of GRACE-FO in orbit (view 4)
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Illustration of GRACE-FO in orbit
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This visualization displays monthly GRACE data in the Amazon basin, demonstrating water storage and movement. 
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This visualization displays monthly GRACE data in the Amazon basin. GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) measures mass distribution and in this instance is used to demonstrate water storage and movement in the basin.
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Illustration of GRACE-FO separating from Falcon 9 rocket after launch.
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Illustration of GRACE-FO separating from Falcon 9 rocket after launch.
GRACE-FO Separating from Rocket After Launch
Illustration of GRACE-FO in orbit (view 3).
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Illustration of GRACE-FO in orbit over Earth.
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