Background
Together with DLR, we are currently developing the third generation GRACE mission, GRACE-C (Continuity), which, following GRACE-FO, will extend the time series of monthly mass transports and the essential climate variable Terrestrial Water Strorage (TWS) from the end of 2028. Once again, we are part of the US-German science data system and will be responsible for mission operations after the launch Here, we will continue to use our primary receiving station in Ny-Ålesund on Spitsbergen. For orbit control independent of the GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), we will build laser retroreflectors for the two satellites, which can then be targeted from the ground using Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) from our station in Potsdam, among others.
From 2032, GRACE-C, together with an ESA Next Generation Gravity Mission (NGGM), will form the Mass-change And Geoscience International Constellation (MAGIC) and significantly increase the current accuracy as well as temporal and spatial resolution of the monthly GRACE gravity fields.
Since 2008, the GFZ has been involved in numerous simulation studies to analyse future concepts for gravity field missions on behalf of the BMBF, DLR and ESA. For this purpose, we use our self-developed Earth Parameter and Orbit System (EPOS) software, which can not only analyse real data from GRACE and GRACE-FO, but can also evaluate any other satellite constellation and instrumentation under realistic assumptions for all existing disturbing forces. Due to our long-lasting experience in the field of GRACE/GRACE-FO real data analysis and gravity field simulations, we were therefore commissioned by ESA to develop key elements of the ground data processing segment for NGGM.
Scientific key questions
- How can the accuracy as well as the temporal and spatial precision of the GRACE gravity field models be improved?
- Which climate-related changes in the Earth system can be derived from the new measurement data of future gravity field missions such as MAGIC?
Related projects
