GRACE-FO accelerometers behavior after 7 months in orbit

After the end of the gravity GRACE mission last year, the GRACE Follow-On mission was launched in May of this year to continue the survey of Earth mass transport. Each satellite carries one ONERA electrostatic accelerometer, with performance similar to those of GRACE but with improved thermal stability and temperature survey. Each accelerometer measures the 3 linear non-gravitational accelerations as well as the 3 angular non-gravitational accelerations with a 10Hz data sampling. In addition, house-keeping data provides the proof-mass's position inside the electrode cage as well as temperature of the electrode cage or of the front-end electronic boards.

The first months in orbit allows us to verify the good functioning of the accelerometers and to assess their performance and stability. Thanks to the numerous thermal sensors inside the accelerometers, the temperature stability can be verified. A review of the accelerometer outputs also allows for an analysis of the satellite behavior in terms of mechanical stability (presence of cranks for example).

We present the first results obtained after 7 months in orbit.