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NASA / DLR

GRACE-FO

2LAUNCHES
PolarORBIT
490 kmALTITUDE
Earth Observation / GravityPURPOSE
May 2018FIRST LAUNCH
MASS580 kg
ALTITUDE490 km
INCLINATION89°
ORBIT TYPEPolar
COUNTRYUnited States / Germany

GRACE-FO is a earth observation / gravity satellite operated by NASA / DLR. It operates in Polar orbit at 490 km altitude. 2 deployment launches are tracked on Space Launch Live.

GRACE Follow-On is a pair of twin satellites that measure variations in Earth’s gravity field with extreme precision by tracking the distance between them using microwave and laser ranging. These measurements reveal changes in groundwater, ice mass, and ocean circulation. GRACE-FO continues the critical climate dataset begun by the original GRACE mission in 2002.

Mass580 kg (1,279 lbs)
Altitude490 km (304 mi)
Inclination89°
OrbitPolar