GRACE-FO

GRACE-FO (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On) is a NASA and GFZ twin-satellite gravity mission launched on 22 May 2018 ^[1]. It extends the GRACE mass-change record by measuring month-to-month variations in Earth's gravity field with paired spacecraft ^[1]. Each spacecraft carries microwave K-band ranging, accelerometers, GPS receivers, and the Laser Ranging Interferometer technology demonstration ^[1][2]. GFZ's German contributions included scientific analysis, mission operations support, Laser Ranging Interferometer development, data products, and laser retroreflectors; the launch was a NASA-contracted SpaceX Falcon 9 flight from Vandenberg ^[1][3].