GRACE-FO 1

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GRACE-FO 1 is classified as:

Space & Earth Science

NORAD ID: 43476

Int'l Code: 2018-047A

Perigee: 487.4 km

Apogee: 512.0 km

Inclination: 89.0 °

Period: 94.5 minutes

Semi major axis: 6870 km

RCS: Unknown

Launch date: May 22, 2018
Source: United States (US)
Launch site: AIR FORCE WESTERN TEST RANGE (AFWTR)

GRACE-FO 1 and GRACE-FO 2 are two identical Earth science satellites with primary research objective focused on gravity measurements and Earth's water cycle. Built by Airbus Defense and Space, the identical GRACE-Follow On satellites carry microwave ranging instruments to measure the separation between the craft as they fly around 137 miles (220 kilometers) apart in orbit. The ranging sensors require exacting precision, with the capability of measuring distance changes between the formation-flying satellites as small as a few microns—about the width of a blood cell. Changes in the range between the two GRACE-Follow On satellite will be caused by tiny variations in the pull of gravity from Earth below, telling scientists about the mass of water, rock and ice around the world.

1 43476U 18047A   21297.55129139  .00000771  00000-0  30049-4 0  9995
2 43476  88.9817  70.5486 0017876 163.8990 196.2829 15.24407903190475

Source of the keplerian elements: AFSPC