Earth's gravity from space

This image shows the mean annual amplitude of total water storage on Earth in 2007 as measured by GRACE.

GRACE logo

Between 2002 and 2016, Antarctica shed approximately 125 gigatons of ice per year, causing global sea level to rise by 0.35 millimeters per year.

Research based on GRACE observations indicates that between 2002 and 2016, Greenland shed approximately 280 gigatons of ice per year.

The GRACE satellites are seen at an IABG testing facility in Germany.

GRACE being readied for launch - 1

The GRACE satellites during component integration in a German clean room.

GPS signal occultation by the atmosphere, and the resulting useful data is explained.

GRACE being readied for launch - 2

The twin GRACE satellites are seen in a clean room in Germany in 2002.

Global ocean conveyor belt of warm and cold water is explained.

GRACE on orbit - 1

This animation shows the annual water storage changes over the U.S. from GRACE from 2003 - 2013.

The original GRACE satellites in a clean room in Germany.

This visualization of a gravity model was created with data from NASA's Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and shows variations in Earth’s gravity field.

One of the GRACE satellites undergoes thermal testing at IABG in Germany.

GRACE satellites are mounted belly to belly at an IABG testing facility in Germany.

These images show the changes in gravity anomalies from GRACE over the Amazon Basin for each month of 2004. 

Measuring Earth's Gravity from Space exhibit

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.

Twin GRACE spacecraft being deployed from Breeze

The amount of water stored in the Amazon basin varies from month to month, and can be monitored from space by looking at how it alters Earth's gravity field.

One of the twin GRACE satellites, Flight Model 1, is seen on a trolley during construction in Germany.

GRACE on orbit

GRACE mission pre-launch poster