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Measuring Earth's Gravity from Space exhibit
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Measuring Earth's Gravity from Space exhibit
Measuring Earth's Gravity from Space exhibit
GRACE mission pre-launch poster
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GRACE mission pre-launch poster
GRACE mission pre-launch poster
The mass of the Polar ice sheets have changed over the last decades. Research based on observations from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites (2002-2017) and GRACE Follow-...
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The mass of the Polar ice sheets have changed over the last decades. Research based on observations from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites (2002-2017) and GRACE Follow-On (since 2018 - ) indicates that between 2002 and 2020, Antarctica shed approximately 150 gigatons of ice per year, causing global sea level to rise by 0.4 millimeters per year; and Greenland shed approximately 280 gigatons of ice per year, causing global sea level to rise by 0.03 inches (0.8 millimeters) per year. These images, created from GRACE and GRACE-FO data, show changes in polar land ice mass since 2002. Orange and red shades indicate areas that lost ice mass, while light blue shades indicate areas that gained ice mass. White indicates areas where there has been very little or no change in ice mass since 2002. The average flow lines (grey; created from satellite radar interferometry) of the icesheets converge into the locations of prominent outlet glaciers, and coincide with areas of highest mass loss. This supports other observations that warming ocean waters near polar icesheets play a key role in contemporary ice mass loss.
GRACE and GRACE-FO polar ice mass loss
GRACE logo
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GRACE logo
GRACE logo
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
GPS signal occultation by the atmosphere, and the resulting useful data is explained.
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GPS signal occultation explanation.
Occult.mov
Between 2002 and 2020, Antarctica shed approximately 150 gigatons of ice per year, causing global sea level to rise by 0.4 millimeters per year.
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Between 2002 and 2020, Antarctica shed approximately 150 gigatons of ice per year, causing global sea level to rise by 0.4 millimeters per year.
Antarctic Ice Loss 2002-2020
Research based on GRACE observations indicates that between 2002 and 2021, Greenland shed approximately 280 gigatons of ice per year.
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Research based on GRACE & GRACE-FO observations indicates that between 2002 and 2021, Greenland shed approximately 280 gigatons of ice per year.
Greenland Ice Loss 2002-2021
NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) has measured significant groundwater depletion around the world in recent years. These animations show trends in total water storage from Jan....
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GRACE Sees Groundwater Losses Around the World
GRACE Sees Groundwater Losses Around the World
Global ocean conveyor belt of warm and cold water is explained.
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Global ocean conveyor belt explanation.
Conveyor.mov
This animation shows the annual water storage changes over the U.S. from GRACE from 2003 - 2013.
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Annual water storage changes over the U.S. From GRACE
Annual water storage changes over the U.S. From GRACE
This animation illustrates the highs and lows of the Earth's gravity field as water in the basins of the U.S. changes over time.
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GRACE data over the United States, 2003-2012
GRACE data over the United States, 2003-2012
Zoom in to view GRACE flying over Greenland.
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GRACE Greenland flyover
Greenland flyover by GRACE
This animation illustrates the movements of the two GRACE-FO satellites as they orbit Earth.
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This animation illustrates the movements of the two GRACE-FO satellites as they orbit Earth. As the satellites pass over topographic or mass anomaly features, the relative distance between the satellites changes. This distance change is precisely tracked with the two ranging interferometers: the Microwave Instrument (MWI), as well as the technology-demonstration Laser Ranging Instrument (LRI). Every 30 days, the polar-orbiting satellites gather enough data to derive a global map of the surface mass distribution. The differences in this mass distribution from one month to the next provide fundamental indicators of the large-scale dynamics of the planet as mass (mostly in the form of water) is constantly redistributed within and between Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, groundwater and ice sheets. Since 2018, GRACE Follow-On (GRACE-FO) continues the legacy of GRACE (2002-2017), tracking Earth’s water movement and surface mass changes across the planet. Monitoring changes in ice sheets and glaciers, near-surface and underground water storage, the amount of water in large lakes and rivers, as well as changes in sea level and ocean currents provides an integrated global view of how Earth’s water cycle and energy balance are evolving—measurements that have important applications for everyday life.
GRACE-FO: from range observations to global mass change
Accuracy of scaled GRACE terrestrial water storage estimates
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Accuracy of scaled GRACE terrestrial water storage estimates
GRACE Tellus Land TWS - Accuracy
The force of gravity not only keeps us from floating away, it also lets NASA study Earth’s water and ice from space. Using a pair of twin satellites named "GRACE," we can monitor our planet’s water.
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The force of gravity not only keeps us from floating away, it also lets NASA study Earth’s water and ice from space. Using a pair of twin satellites named "GRACE," we can monitor where our planet’s water is going, even when it is underground.
Scale in the Sky
The GRACE satellites during component integration in a German clean room.
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The GRACE satellites are shown without solar panels during component integration in a German clean room.
GRACE Component Integration
One of the twin GRACE spacecraft is seen during construction in Germany.
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One of the twin GRACE spacecraft is seen during construction in Germany.
GRACE Satellite Build
GRACE satellites are mounted belly to belly at an IABG testing facility in Germany.
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GRACE satellites are mounted belly to belly at an IABG testing facility in Germany.
GRACE Satellites at IABG
The GRACE satellites are seen at an IABG testing facility in Germany.
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Two GRACE satellites are seen belly to belly in a testing clean room.
GRACE Satellite Testing
One of the GRACE satellites undergoes thermal testing at IABG in Germany.
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Light shines on a GRACE satellite seen in a thermal chamber at IABG.
Thermal Testing for GRACE Satellite
One of the twin GRACE satellites, Flight Model 1, is seen on a trolley during construction in Germany.
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Empty shell of GRACE satellite during construction.
GRACE Satellite Under Construction

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NASA, University of Nebraska Release New Global Groundwater Maps and U.S. Drought Forecasts
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