Global gravity and mass change observations beyond GRACE-FO: updates on the upcoming GRACE-Continuity mission

We will present an update on the development of the next pair of satellites, GRACE-Continuity (GRACE-C), to track Earth system mass change. The satellites are being developed in partnership between the United States and Germany, continuing the successful collaborations established on GRACE and GRACE-FO. Heritage elements are leveraged considerably in the design with a notable change: the primary ranging instrument will be a higher precision laser ranging interferometer, capitalizing on the successful demonstration of this technology on GRACE-FO. With a planned launch date end of 2028, the GRACE-C architecture is designed to meet the primary science goal of maintaining continuity in the essential record of mass change data that currently spans over 22 years. Milestones over the last year will be highlighted, including a transition into Phase C development after successfully completing a Preliminary Design Review.