NASA’s GRACE-FO Mission (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On): Objectives, Timeline & Spacecraft for UPSC

NASAs space missions often make us think about important ethical questions, like how to explore space responsibly, making sure we dont harm other planets (planetary protection), and how to design machines that can make decisions on their own. Thinking about these issues helps us consider how to do things the right way, be accountable, and serve the public good.

NASA’s GRACE-FO Mission (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On) targets Earth (polar orbit) with a dedicated mission to investigate its habitability potential, scientific output, and strategic significance.

• GRACE-FO Mission (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On) was launched on May 22, 2018, marking a significant step forward in space exploration.  
• The scientific community has identified a pressing need, and thus, the primary objective of this endeavor is to Continue tracking Earth's water movement by measuring gravity changes. The anticipated results are expected to be transformative.  
• The detailed discussions after the Earth observation satellite (gravity measurement) provided very useful lessons for missions in the future.  
• The advanced technology of the Falcon 9 (rideshare) made it a very capable choice for this demanding space mission. 
• The spacecraft was launched from Vandenberg AFB, SLC-4E, heading into orbit. 
• It remained active for Ongoing (5-year prime mission). 
• The operation was carried out under the leadership of NASA, GFZ (German Research Centre for Geosciences). 
• It wrapped up with a status of Operational. 
• Estimated at NASA contribution ~$430 million; GFZ contribution significant, GRACE-FO Mission (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On) represents a significant investment in next-generation space exploration technologies. 

GRACE-FO Mission (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On) is equipped with Microwave K-band ranging system, laser ranging interferometer (tech demo) to support scientific innovation and real-time decision-making in space.

The GRACE-FO Mission (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On) mission deployed Twin satellites measuring micron-scale changes in separation distance, enabling next-generation robotic performance in unpredictable space environments. In this article, lets understand more about Objectives, Data Sharing Agreements and Challenges Faced in NASAs GRACE-FO Mission (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On) which is useful in UPSC Prelims & UPSC Mains Papers.

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NASA GRACE-FO Mission (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On) Space Mission Overview 

GRACE-FO Mission (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On) – Space Mission Profile for UPSC
Target Celestial Body	Earth (polar orbit)
Launch Date	May 22, 2018
Objective	Continue tracking Earth's water movement by measuring gravity changes
Mission Type	Earth observation satellite (gravity measurement)
Launch Vehicle	Falcon 9 (rideshare)
Launch Site	Vandenberg AFB, SLC-4E
Mission Duration	Ongoing (5-year prime mission)
Agencies Involved	NASA, GFZ (German Research Centre for Geosciences)
Mission Status	Operational
Estimated Cost	NASA contribution ~$430 million; GFZ contribution significant
Proposal Date	Early 2010s
New Instruments/Payloads	Microwave K-band ranging system, laser ranging interferometer (tech demo)
Key Technologies Used	Twin satellites measuring micron-scale changes in separation distance

Also, Checkout Sunita Williams’ Missions to the International Space Station

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GRACE-FO Mission (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On) Space Mission Global Contributions

Working alongside Germany (GFZ - co-lead, operations, laser ranging interferometer), NASA’s GRACE-FO Mission (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On) aimed to build a cooperative future for autonomous exploration.

• GRACE-FO Mission (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On) carried Significant contributions from Germany designed to enable new research capabilities and reduce reliance on Earth-based operations. 
• By involving Airbus Defence and Space (Germany - built satellites), SpaceX (launch), NASA leveraged commercial capabilities for hardware design, satellite manufacturing, and launch logistics. 
• Data used for hydrology, oceanography, ice sheet studies supported transparent, cross-agency research, enhancing the scientific return from autonomous exploration missions. 
• The success of GRACE-FO Mission (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On) marked a major shift in space policy by Essential for understanding groundwater, ice melt, sea level change, promoting broader cooperation in future missions. 

Global Collaboration & Strategic Impact
International Partners	Germany (GFZ - co-lead, operations, laser ranging interferometer)
Payload Contributions	Significant contributions from Germany
Commercial Involvement	Airbus Defence and Space (Germany - built satellites), SpaceX (launch)
Data Sharing Agreements	Data used for hydrology, oceanography, ice sheet studies
Impact on Global Space Policy	Essential for understanding groundwater, ice melt, sea level change

Checkout: Daily UPSC Current Affairs for your upcoming exam and get thorough with detailed Insights, Trends and Latest Developments for UPSC CSE Exam

Challenges & Risk in GRACE-FO Mission (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On) Space Mission

The complexity of GRACE-FO Mission (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On) increased due to issues like Achieving extreme precision in inter-satellite ranging, but thanks to swift identification and mitigation techniques, the mission was able to continue its objectives with minimal disruption.

• Despite hurdles such as Laser ranging interferometer technology demonstration risks, GRACE-FO Mission (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On) proceeded as planned with only minor adjustments. 
• As part of NASAs commitment to sustainable exploration, GRACE-FO Mission (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On) resulted in Operational in Earth orbit. 

Operational Risks, Environmental Impact & Challenges
Risk & Mitigation Log	Laser ranging interferometer technology demonstration risks
Environmental & Sustainability Footprint	Operational in Earth orbit
Challenges Faced	Achieving extreme precision in inter-satellite ranging

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Mission Timeline of GRACE-FO Mission (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On) NASA Space Mission

• NASA logged the mission idea as a future candidate on Early 2010s. 
• After months of preparation and travel, the spacecraft completed its planned landing/flyby on Not applicable, fulfilling core mission objectives. 
• On May 2023 (End of 5-year prime mission), all core mission tasks were completed, marking the official end of the spacecraft’s planned journey. 

Mission Timeline & Key Milestones
Proposal Date	Early 2010s
Critical Design Review (CDR) Date	N/A
Assembly Complete Date	N/A
Launch Date	May 22, 2018
Landing / Flyby Date	Not applicable
End of Primary Mission Date	May 2023 (End of 5-year prime mission)

Get to Know the detailed UPSC Syllabus for IAS Prelims & Mains Exam!

UPSC Relevance of GRACE-FO Mission (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On)

• The Prelims syllabus integrates recent breakthroughs from NASA missions, emphasizing their impact on global scientific progress.
• GS Paper 3 often features questions on space technology, where NASA’s breakthroughs provide useful insights into international scientific progress.
• NASA’s transparent communication about mission setbacks can be used in UPSC CSE GS Paper 4 (Ethics) to illustrate ethical behavior in maintaining public trust and institutional credibility.
• Optional papers such as Anthropology, Geography, and Philosophy can use NASA’s deep space missions to examine human adaptability, technological ethics, and questions of existential risk and sustainability in modern science.

Also, Learn about International Space Station (ISS)

Past UPCS Mains PYQs on NASA Space Missions

Q1. Launched on 25th December 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope has been much in the news since then. What are its unique features which make it superior to its predecessor space telescopes? What are the key goals of this mission? What potential benefits does it hold for the human race? (2022, GS Paper 3) 

Q2. How does the Juno Mission of NASA help to understand the origin and evolution of the Earth? (2017, GS Paper 1)

Q3. The safe landing of the ‘Curiosity’ Rover under NASA’s space programme has sparked many possibilities. What are those and how could humankind benefit from them? (2012, GS Paper 2)

Past UPCS Prelims PYQs on NASA Space Missions

Q1 [2022]: Which one of the following statements best reflects the idea behind the “Fractional Orbital Bombardment System” often talked about in the media?

(a) A hypersonic missile is launched into space to counter the asteroid approaching the Earth and explode it in space.

(b) A spacecraft lands on another planet after making several orbital motions.

(c) A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.

(d) A spacecraft moves along a comet with the same speed and places a probe on its surface.

Answer: (c) A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.

Explanation: While this question pertains to a military concept, NASAs research into orbital mechanics and space trajectories contributes to the broader understanding of such technologies.

Q2 [2020]: “The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometres long, with lasers shining between the craft.” The experiment in question refers to:

(a) Voyager-2

(b) New Horizons

(c) Lisa Pathfinder

(d) Evolved LISA

Answer: (d) Evolved LISA

Explanation: Evolved LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) is a space-based gravitational wave observatory developed by ESA with contributions from NASA.

Q3 [2017]: What is the purpose of ‘evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (eLISA)’ project?

(a) To detect neutrinos

(b) To detect gravitational waves

(c) To detect the effectiveness of missile defence system

(d) To study the effect of solar flares on our communication systems

Answer: (b) To detect gravitational waves

Explanation: Evolved Laser Space Interferometer Space Antenna (ELISA) project was widely in the news due to the discovery of gravitational waves by the LIGO detector and the subsequent success of the LISA pathfinder project. The European Space Agency is leading the ELISA mission. The project is initiated to detect and accurately measure gravitational waves.

Q4 [2016]: What is ‘Greased Lightning-10 (GL-10)’, recently in the news?

(a) Electric plane tested by NASA

(b) Solar-powered two-seater aircraft designed by Japan

(c) Space observatory launched by China

(d) Reusable rocket designed by ISRO

Answer: (a) Electric plane tested by NASA
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Explanation: GL-10 is a remotely piloted plane similar to an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). It is designed and developed in such a way that it can take off like a helicopter and fly like an airplane. It is a battery-powered 10-engine with a wingspan of 3.05 meters. Eight electric motors are mounted on the wings. 2 electric motors are mounted on the tail. It weighs a maximum of 28.1 kilograms at takeoff. Due to its versatile vertical takeoff and landing ability, it produces less noise. It can be used as a UAV for small package delivery or vertical takeoff and landing, as well as long-endurance surveillance for agriculture, mapping, and other applications. Its modified scaled-up version can be used as a persons air vehicle.

Q5 [2015]: The term ‘Goldilocks Zone’ is often seen in the news in the context of:

(a) The limits of habitable zone above the surface of the Earth

(b) Regions inside the Earth where shale gas is available

(c) Search for the Earth-like planets in outer space

(d) Search for meteorites containing precious metals

Answer: (c) Search for the Earth-like planets in outer space

Explanation: The Goldilocks Zone is the livable zone around a star where the temperature is not too hot and not too cold for liquid water to exist on a planet. It is a metaphor for the childrens story Goldilocks and the Three Bears, in which a young girl selects from sets of three objects, eschewing the extremes (such as those that are enormous or small, hot or cold) and fixing on the one that is just right in the middle. The Goldilocks zone of the Sun surrounds the Earth. All of Earths water would freeze if it were found where the dwarf planet Pluto is; however, all of Earths water would boil out if it were found where Mercury is.

Also, Get to Know What was NASA's Parker Solar Probe Mission

UPSC Practice Questions on NASA Space Missions

Q1. The Parker Solar Probe Mission sometimes mentioned in the news recently is related to
1. Indian Space Research Organisation
2. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
3. European Space Agency
4. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Answer: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Solution: Scientists using data from NASA's Parker Solar Probe have assembled the most complete picture yet of the inner structure and behaviour of the large cloud of space dust, known as the zodiacal cloud, that swirls throughout the solar system. They found three dust populations in the cloud: Most of the grains are being slowly pulled in toward the Sun (alpha-meteoroids). The second population is generated as grains in the swirling cloud collide, creating fragments so small that they are pushed out of the solar system in all directions by pressure from sunlight (beta-meteoroids). A third group, probably created when a tube of cometary debris collides with grains from the first two populations, is scattered out in a distinctive wedge shape. The sources of zodiacal clouds/interplanetary dust particles include at least: asteroid collisions, cometary activity and collisions in the inner Solar System, Kuiper belt collisions, and interstellar medium grains. NASA's historic Parker Solar Probe mission will revolutionize our understanding of the sun, where changing conditions can propagate out into the solar system, affecting Earth and other worlds. Parker Solar Probe will travel through the sun's atmosphere, closer to the surface than any spacecraft before it, facing brutal heat and radiation conditions and ultimately providing humanity with the closest-ever observations of a star.

Q2. In February 2021, which NASA rover landed on Mars?
1. Perseverance
2. Curiosity
3. Hope
4. Viking
Answer: Perseverance
Solution: National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Perseverance Rover has landed on Mars. This was one of the most crucial aspects of the Mars 2020 Mission. Perseverance is the most advanced, most expensive and most sophisticated mobile laboratory sent to Mars. It is different from previous missions because it is capable of drilling and collecting core samples of the most promising rocks and soils, and setting them aside in a cache on the surface of Mars. The landing site is Jezero Crater, an ancient river delta that has rocks and minerals that could only form in water. The landing occurred on 18th February 2021.

Q3. What is the name of the Planetary Defense Spacecraft launched by NASA in November 2021?
1. Lucy
2. DART
3. Perseverance
4. Ingenuity
Answer: DART
Solution: The world's first planetary defense system called the DART spacecraft was successfully launched by NASA on 24 November 2021. The DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) blasted off aboard a SpaceX rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The target of the spacecraft is a small moonlet called Dimorphos which is about 160-metre in diameter.

Q4. The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft launched into orbit in November 2020 had three American and one ______ astronaut onboard.
1. Japanese
2. South Korean
3. Russian
4. Chinese
Answer: Japanese
Solution: The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft launched into orbit in November 2020 had three American and one Japanese astronaut onboard. SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule carried NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and French astronaut Thomas Pesquet. SpaceX launched the Crew-2 mission for NASA and carried the four astronauts to the International Space Station on 23rd April 2021. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried the four astronauts to space in the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft named Endeavour.

Q5. Which of the following is India's first solar mission set to begin in 2022?
1. Solar orbiter mission
2. Gaganyaan
3. Chandrayaan
4. Aditya-L1
Answer: Aditya L1
Solution: Aditya L1 is a planned coronagraphy spacecraft to study the solar atmosphere. It will be inserted in a halo orbit around the L1 point between Earth and Sun where it will study the solar atmosphere, solar magnetic storms, and its impact on the environment around Earth. It is the first dedicated Indian mission to observe the Sun, planned to be launched in January 2023 aboard a PSLV-XL launch vehicle.

Q6. Consider the following statements:
1. ESA announced the results of its Double Asteroid Redirection Test DART mission on 11 October 2022.
2. Terming the test successful, the agency said, the DART spacecraft succeeded in changing the asteroid's motion in Space.
3. DART is a spacecraft designed to impact an asteroid as a test of the technology.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
1. Only 1
2. Both 1 and 3
3. Both 2 and 3
4. All 1, 2 and 3
Answer: Both 2 and 3
Solution: NASA announced the results of its Double Asteroid Redirection Test DART mission on 11 October 2022. Terming the test successful, the agency said the DART spacecraft succeeded in changing the asteroid's motion in Space. DART is a spacecraft designed to impact an asteroid as a test of the technology. This is the first time humanity has altered the motion of a celestial body.

Q7. The spacecraft launched by NASA to study the Sun is -
1. Parker Solar Probe
2. Probing Sun
3. Mission on Sun
4. Hawking Solar Probe
Answer: Parker Solar Probe
Solution: The Parker Solar Probe's mission is to study the outer corona of the Sun. Launched by NASA on August 12, 2018, it is named after physicist Eugene Parker, a pioneer in heliophysics and solar wind research. The probe utilizes a custom heat shield made of carbon-carbon composite to withstand extreme solar temperatures. It is designed to approach the Sun within 3.83 million miles, closer than any previous spacecraft. The mission aims to solve two key solar mysteries: how the solar wind accelerates and why the Sun's outer atmosphere is hotter than its surface. Data from the probe is helping to improve forecasts of space weather that affects life and technology on Earth. As of 2023, it is still operational, providing unprecedented information about the Sun's activity. The mission is slated to end in 2025 after 24 planned orbits and seven gravity assists from Venus.

Q8. Consider the following statements regarding Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols Mission MAIA:
1. It is a joint mission between NASA and the Italian Space Agency.
2. It aims to investigate the health impact of air pollution.
3. The duration of the mission is three years.
Which of the above statements are correct?
1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: 1, 2 and 3
Solution: The Indian Express reported that NASA announced it is partnering with the Italian Space Agency ASI to build and launch the MAIA mission. This mission will investigate the health impacts of air pollution in the world’s most populated cities. Its primary goal is to benefit societal health. The MAIA mission will collect and analyze data from the observatory, sensors on the ground, and atmospheric models. The MAIA observatory is set to launch before the end of 2024.

Q9. Consider the following statements regarding Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope:
1. Its objective is to aid in the understanding of dark energy, dark matter, exoplanets, and infrared astrophysics.
2. It will be situated or parked in the Lagrange point.
3. Its field view will be greater than the Hubble Telescope.
Which of the above statements are correct?
1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: 1, 2 and 3
Solution: The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope or Roman Space Telescope is a NASA deep space infrared observatory. Its objective is to help answer essential astrophysics questions about dark energy, dark matter, exoplanets, and infrared astrophysics. It is set to launch around 2026 or 2027. The mission is projected to last for five years. RST will be situated at Lagrange point 2, a stable gravitational point between Earth and the Sun. The primary mirror of the RST has a diameter of 2.4 meters, the same size as the mirror of the Hubble Space Telescope. It will have a field of view that is 100 times greater than the Hubble infrared instrument, capturing more of the sky with less observing time.

Q10. Which country's space agency has launched project DART Mission?
1. USA
2. Russia
3. India
4. China
Answer: USA
Solution: NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test DART is the world's first full-scale mission to test technology for defending Earth against potential asteroid or comet hazards. Launched from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, DART is the first-ever mission dedicated to investigating and demonstrating one method of asteroid deflection by changing an asteroid's motion in space through kinetic impact. DART is a joint project between NASA and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. NASA stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the USA which is responsible for the civilian space program, aeronautics, and aerospace research. It was established in 1958 with headquarters at Two Independence Square, Washington, D.C., United States. Dwight D. Eisenhower was its founder.

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