NASA GRACE Mission

Overview

  • GRACE ( Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment)  was a joint satellite mission of NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR).
  • Launched in 2002, it operated till 2017.
  • Objective was to map Earth’s gravity field and track its changes over time.

Scientific Principle

  • GRACE consisted of two identical satellites flying about 220 km apart in the same orbit.
  • Variations in Earth’s gravity caused slight changes in the distance between the satellites.
  • These distance changes were measured with micron-level precision, allowing scientists to infer mass redistribution on Earth.

What GRACE Measured

  • Changes in groundwater storage
  • Melting of glaciers and ice sheets
  • Variations in soil moisture
  • Changes in sea level and ocean mass
  • Mass shifts due to droughts, floods, and earthquakes

Key Contributions

  • Provided the first direct satellite-based measurement of groundwater depletion.
  • Confirmed rapid ice mass loss in Greenland and Antarctica.
  • Enabled monitoring of large river basins such as the Ganga, Indus, Amazon, and Mississippi.
  • Helped quantify the contribution of land ice melt to global sea-level rise.

Importance for India

  • GRACE data showed significant groundwater depletion in northwestern India, especially in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and parts of Uttar Pradesh.
  • Highlighted the unsustainable extraction of groundwater due to intensive agriculture and urban demand.
  • Strengthened evidence-based policymaking on water security and climate adaptation.

Successor Mission: GRACE-FO

  • GRACE Follow-On (GRACE-FO) launched in 2018.
  • Continues the original mission with improved technology, including laser interferometry for even higher precision.
  • Ensures continuity of long-term gravity and climate data.

Why GRACE Matters

  • Enabled a shift from indirect estimates to direct observation of Earth’s water balance.
  • Plays a critical role in climate change studies, disaster assessment, and sustainable resource management.
  • Considered one of the most impactful Earth-observation missions for hydrology and climate science.
About the UPSC Civil Services Examination (UPSC CSE)

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the most competitive and esteemed examinations in India, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit officers for services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and others. The exam comprises three stages — Prelims, Mains, and the Personality Test (Interview) — designed to test a candidate’s knowledge, aptitude, decision-making, and leadership skills.


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