The JPL Release-06/07 Data Products

The joint NASA/DLR GRACE mission has provided over 15 years of insights into the mass variability of the Earth system. Due to improvements in processing procedures, updates to background models, and to provide continuity with GRACE-FO, a new release of the monthly gravity field time series from JPL, dubbed Release-06 (RL06), was released in the first half of 2018. Here, we present a detailed description and assessment of the RL06 time series, with an emphasis on characterization of errors throughout the flight system's lifetime and their comparison to the previous release, RL05. Additionally, we highlight the evolution of the JPL Mascon solution for RL06, with a focus on updated processing methodologies, error analysis, and scientific outcomes. Finally, we look forward to the next GRACE data release, RL07.