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Abstract:
Based on the large success of GRACE and GRACE-FO and their contributions to climate change research, there is a large interest in Germany to continue mass change measurements. Since 2020 GFZ and the German Space Agency at DLR have investigated a mission concept together with NASA based on a GRACE-like concept with a fully redundant Laser Ranging Interferometer (LRI). A Phase A study was successfully performed in 2022 with significant support of JPL. In October 2022 the German Parliament secured funds for the German mission elements Launcher, LRI optical components, Mission Operations and Science Data System (SDS). MPG and GFZ will additionally provide significant funding for LRI development and testing, SDS and Mission Operations after launch. To realize the GRACE-FO successor with launch not later than 2028 DLR is currently in close contact with NASA for the implementation of the next joint US/German Gravity mission.
The GRACE-FO successor could be the first pair (P1) of a hybrid “Bender” constellation if combined with a second inclined pair (P2). The realization of this Mass-change And Geoscience International Constellation is currently discussed between ESA and NASA. P2 will fly lower than P1 and will be based on advanced instrumentation. Therefore, Phase A also investigated the option to add adapted MicroStar accelerometers to the baseline GRACE-FO like accelerometer on each P1 satellite as technology demonstrator for P2. We will present the current P1 mission status from a German view and discuss further steps towards realization.
