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GRACE-FO Fact Sheet

GRACE Follow-On, scheduled to launch in spring 2018, will continue the critical mission of measuring the movements of mass within and between Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, land and ice sheets, as well as below Earth’s surface.

GRACE Follow-On continues the critical mission of measuring the movements of mass within and between Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, land and ice sheets, as well as below Earth’s surface.

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The twin satellites of NASA's Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-on, or GRACE-FO, will track the movement of water around Earth. This short video explains how and why it's important.
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Explaining why GRACE-FO is so important.
Why Is GRACE-FO So Important?
GRACE Follow-On will test a Laser Ranging Interferometer to measure intersatellite distance changes with unprecedented precision. 
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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.
Laser Ranging Interferometer
Work begins to build NASA’s twin satellites, under construction by Airbus Defense and Space.
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NASA’s twin satellites, under construction by Airbus Defense and Space, will be the follow-on spacecraft of the GRACE mission, which have contributed significantly to global climate research since 2002.
Build Commences on GRACE-FO Satellites
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
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.
GRACE-FO in Orbit (View 3)
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.
GRACE-FO Arrives at Vandenberg
The Laser Ranging Interferometer instrument.
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The Laser Ranging Interferometer instrument.
Laser Ranging Interferometer
GRACE Flight Trajectory
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GRACE Flight Trajectory Illustration
GRACE Flight Trajectory
The GRACE-FO satellites were assembled by Airbus Defence and Space in Germany. The photo shows one of the satellites in the testing facility of IABG, an Airbus subcontractor, in Munich (view 2). 
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The GRACE-FO satellites were assembled by Airbus Defence and Space in Germany. The photo shows one of the satellites in the testing facility of IABG, an Airbus subcontractor, in Munich (view 2).
GRACE-FO Satellites During Testing (View 2)
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
The GRACE-FO satellites, attached to turntable fixtures, at the Astrotech Space Operations processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California (view 1).  
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The GRACE-FO satellites, attached to turntable fixtures, at the Astrotech Space Operations processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
GRACE-FO Satellites, Attached to Turntable Fixtures
Illustration of GRACE-FO above Antarctica.
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Illustration of GRACE-FO above Antarctica.
GRACE-FO Above Antarctica
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.
GRACE-FO Satellites From Potsdam
Illustration of GRACE-FO above Alaska.
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Illustration of one spacecraft of GRACE-FO above Alaska, with clouds, ocean and land below.
Illustration of GRACE-FO Above Alaska
Illustration of GRACE-FO in orbit (view 5).
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Illustration of GRACE-FO in orbit over Earth.
GRACE-FO in Orbit (View 5)
Many of today’s most pressing climate science challenges hinge on knowing how and where water is moving on Earth. GRACE-FO will continue the successful partnership between NASA and the German Resea...
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Image of the spacecraft in orbit over Earth, with the black of space.
GRACE-FO Launch Press Kit
Illustration of GRACE-FO in orbit (view 4)
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Illustration of GRACE-FO in orbit
Illustration of GRACE-FO (View 4)
GRACE Rendering  
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GRACE Rendering
GRACE Rendering
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.
15 Years of GRACE Earth Observations
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
A GRACE-FO satellite and its turntable fixture at the Astrotech Space Operations processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
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A GRACE-FO satellite and its turntable fixture at the Astrotech Space Operations processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
GRACE-FO Satellite on a Turntable Before Launch
The twin GRACE-FO satellites will pick up where the GRACE mission (2002-2017) left off, studying our changing planet.
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Video reel for media on the GRACE-FO mission to study Earth.
GRACE Follow-On Media Reel
The GRACE-FO satellites were assembled by Airbus Defence and Space in Germany. The photo shows the satellites in the testing facility of IABG, an Airbus subcontractor, in Munich (view 1).
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The GRACE-FO satellites were assembled by Airbus Defence and Space in Germany.
GRACE-FO Satellites During Testing
GRACE-FO in a protective shipping container arriving at a new facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.  
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GRACE-FO in a protective shipping container arriving at a new facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
GRACE-FO Arrives at Vandenberg

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