NASA to Launch Next-Gen GRACE-FO to Monitor Floods, El Niño, and Mineral Deposits

NASA is preparing a new generation of the GRACE-FO satellite mission, scheduled for launch between 2020 and 2031, to continue monitoring Earth's water distribution, including flood patterns and El Niño effects. The technology also has the capability to detect minerals, oil, and gas, expanding its utility beyond climate science. The timeline is broad and the specific launch date remains uncertain, but the mission's dual-use nature could have implications for resource exploration and climate monitoring.