15 Years of GRACE Earth Observations

The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) was a groundbreaking collaboration between NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) that operated from 2002 to 2017. Over its 15-year mission, GRACE's twin satellites closely followed one another in orbit around the Earth, meticulously measuring changes in the distance between them caused by variations in Earth's gravitational field. This unique approach allowed scientists to make detailed observations of Earth's changing water masses, including glaciers, ice caps, and aquifers. These insights revealed crucial information about melting polar ice, rising sea levels, and the state of the world's major groundwater sources. By offering an unprecedented view of how our planet's water resources are shifting and evolving, GRACE made indispensable contributions to climate science, water resource management, and our understanding of natural hazards such as droughts and floods.@watchgalaxy