GRACE

© EADS Astrium

The main task of geo-research and climate research today is to understand the Earth as an integral system. The two Grace (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) satellites were developed to further advance research in this field.

The highly tuned sensors measure the Earth’s gravity with a level of accuracy previously unequalled. It has been possible to detect minor gravitational changes, which result from revolving magma in the interior of the earth or from melting glaciers or shifting ocean currents, for the first time.

The Grace satellites are based on the Champ concept, which was launched in 2000, as well as EADS Astrium’s Flexbus concept, enabling the satellites to be made very quickly at extremely low cost.

The two satellites, each weighing just 475 kg, were launched on 17 March 2002 by a Rockot launcher and will orbit the Earth for five years.