Satellite gravimetry missions like the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and the Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) showed great success for climate research studies and other geophysical and geodetic applications. It is also possible to use the data of other satellite missions to estimate gravity field solutions. The great success of these missions clearly shows that also in the future gravity and its variability has to be monitored from space. Therefore, various initiatives are ongoing to prepare for future gravity mission: Simulation studies have been performed, user and mission requirements have been defined and potential measurement equipments and orbit scenarios have been investigated. Most promising is the US/German GRACE Follow-on (GRACE-FO) mission which an anticipated launch date in August 2017.

This session solicits contributions about (1) results from the satellite gravimetry missions in terms of data analyses, combination synergies, and Earth science applications and (2) status and study results of future gravity field missions.