All launches
TBD

GRACE-C

Falcon 9 Block 5SpaceXSpace Launch Complex 4E
Q4 2028 · Date and time TBD

NextGo for Prop LoadT-35:00

Calendar available when time is confirmed
Time to launch
Q4 2028Exact time confirmed closer to launch
Launch window confidence
46% — Uncertain
Mission brief

The mission

GRACE-C (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment-Continuity) is a successor to the original GRACE and GRACE-FO missions, providing month-to-month changes of Earth's gravity field to track water movement and surface mass changes across the planet, monitoring variations in ice sheets, glaciers, underground water storage, soil moisture, and sea levels. GRACE-C consists of two identical satellites flying around 200 km apart at an orbit altitude of 500 km with an inclination of 89 degrees. Each satellite will measure approximately 3 x 2 x 1 meters and weigh around 600 kg. This launch will also carry ride-sharing small satellites via Exolaunch.

PayloadGRACE-C
OrbitPolar Orbit
CustomerSpaceX
Stages2
PadSpace Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Flight plan

Mission timeline

0 / 200%
Up next · Countdown

Go for Prop Load

Launch director gives the go to begin fueling

T-35:00
11:25 PM UTC
  • Go for Prop LoadT-35:00
  • RP-1 Loading BeginsT-35:00
  • Stage 1 LOX Loading BeginsT-35:00
The range

Where it leaves Earth

Launch site

Ground vector

Site locked

Space Launch Complex 4E

Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

Global range
SITE LOCK
Latitude
34.632°N
Longitude
120.611°W

Can I see this?

Distance and a plain visibility call from a place you choose. Trajectory is not modeled — night launches travel farther across the sky than daylight ones.

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Range weather

Launch commit criteria

Clear
Watch
TrackingNo active constraints
Weather rules

Clear — tracking no weather issues at this time.

Primary concern
No weather issues
Rule count
0
Temperature
Not reported
Surface wind
Not reported
Window

12:00 AM UTC – 12:00 AM UTC

Hardware

Vehicle & provider

Vehicle

Falcon 9 Block 5

Profile →
Height70 m
LEO Payload22,800 kg
Launches860
Successes717
Provider

USA • Founded 2002

Reliability

Schedule history

No meaningful launch-time or status changes recorded.