Back Satellite Programme: Next Generation Gravity Mission 

Programme details
Programme description
  • Two satellites operating as a pair to measure fluctuations in Earth’s gravitational field as part of the MAGIC programme with NASA.
  • The Microwave Instrument and Laser Ranging Instrument will allow ultra-precise satellite-to-satellite tracking (SST) between each pair of satellites with high temporal resolution. 
  • The satellites will precisely map Earth's gravity field by monitoring short-period changes in the distance between them using laser interferometry.
  • Follow on from the Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) mission, the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and its follow-on mission, GRACE-FO.
  • If approved launch is planned in 2032.
Data circulation
  • TBD
Agencies ESA
Programme lifetime TBD
Associated satellites and instruments

Note: red tag => no longer operational , green tag => operational , blue tag => planned

  • Next Generation Gravity Mission