NASA Logo in the header
Sciences and Exploration Directorate
Operational

GRACE Time-Variable Gravity Mascons

The GRACE gravity group at GSFC pioneered the estimation of global mass concentration blocks (mascons) from the GRACE Level-1B satellite-to-satellite K-band range-rate (KBRR) measurements. These unique solutions apply prior knowledge of the geophysical signals via constraints towards improved solutions and the reduction of signal leakage across constraint region boundaries. The monthly mascon solutions now span more than a decade, and provide critical information of global water mass variability for hydrologic, cryospheric, and oceanographic research.

Launch Date

March 2002

Class

--

Website

Key Staffs

The GRACE gravity group at GSFC pioneered the estimation of global mass concentration blocks (mascons) from the GRACE Level-1B satellite-to-satellite K-band range-rate (KBRR) measurements. These unique solutions apply prior knowledge of the geophysical signals via constraints towards improved solutions and the reduction of signal leakage across constraint region boundaries. The monthly mascon solutions now span more than a decade, and provide critical information of global water mass variability for hydrologic, cryospheric, and oceanographic research.

Related Publications

2025. "Stabilized mascon solutions through combinations of GRACE and SLR normal equations.", Geophysical Journal International, [10.1093/gji/ggaf016] [Journal Article/Letter]

2019. "Correction to: Regularization and error characterization of GRACE mascons.", Journal of Geodesy, 93 (9): 1399-1399 [10.1007/s00190-019-01286-2] [Journal Article/Letter]

2016. "Greenland Ice Sheet seasonal and spatial mass variability from model simulations and GRACE (2003-2012).", The Cryosphere, 10 1259-1277 [10.5194/tc-10-1259-2016] [Journal Article/Letter]

2017. "Mass evolution of Mediterranean, Black, Red, and Caspian Seas from GRACE and altimetry: accuracy assessment and solution calibration.", J. Geodesy, 91 (2): 195-206 [10.1007/s00190-016-0952-3] [Journal Article/Letter]

2016. "Spatial and temporal Antarctic Ice Sheet mass trends, glacio-isostatic adjustment, and surface processes from a joint inversion of satellite altimeter, gravity, and GPS data.", J. Geophys. Res. Earth Surf., 121 (2): 182-200 [10.1002/2015jf003550] [Journal Article/Letter]