TREATIES AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ACTS SERIES 98-1210 

________________________________________________________________________ 

SPACE COOPERATION 

Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment 

(GRACE) Mission 

 Memorandum of Understanding 

 Between the 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

and GERMANY 

Signed November 13 and December 10, 1998 

and 

Agreement Amending and Extending the 

Memorandum of Understanding 

Signed February 26 and 27 and March 16, 2009 

and 

Agreements Extending the 

Memorandum of Understanding, as 

Amended and Extended 

Signed December 16, 17, and 18, 2009 

Signed June 10, 2010 
 NOTE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE 

 Pursuant to Public Law 89—497, approved July 8, 1966 

(80 Stat. 271; 1 U.S.C. 113)—

“. . .the Treaties and Other International Acts Series issued 

under the authority of the Secretary of State shall be competent 

 evidence . . . of the treaties, international agreements other than 

treaties, and proclamations by the President of such treaties and 

international agreements other than treaties, as the case may be, 

therein contained, in all the courts of law and equity and of maritime 

jurisdiction, and in all the tribunals and public offices of the 

United States, and of the several States, without any further proof 

or authentication thereof.” 
 GERMANY 

 Space Cooperation: Gravity Recovery and Climate 

 Experiment (GRACE) Mission 

Memorandum of understanding signed November 13 and December 10, 1998; 

Entered into force December 10, 1998. 

And agreement amending and extending the memorandum of understanding. 

Signed February 26 and 27 and March 16, 2009; 

Entered into force March 16, 2009. 

And agreements extending the memorandum of understanding, 

 as amended and extended. 

Signed December 16, 17, and 18, 2009; 

Entered into force December 18, 2009. 

Signed June 10, 2010; 

Entered into force June 10, 2010. 
Memorandum or Understanding 

between the 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

of the United States 

and the 

German Aerospace Center 

for 

International Cooperation on the GRACE Mission 
Preamble 

Article 1: 

Article 2: 

Article 3: 

Article 4: 

Article 5: 

Aniele 6: 

Article 1: 

Aniele 8: 

Article 9: 

Article 10: 

Article 11: 

Article 12: 

Article 13: 

Article 14: 

Article 15: 

Table of Contents 

Purpose 

Mission Description 

Responsibilities of DLR 

Responsibilities of NASA 

Cooperative Project Plan 

Project Oversight 

Scientific Investigations 

Data Policy 

Exchange of Technical Data and Goods 

Invention and Patent Rights 

Funding 

Customs and Taxes 

Publication of Public Information and Results 

Liability 

Entry into Force, Duration, Amendment and Termination 
Preamble 

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States and the 

German Aerospace Center (DLR) as the Parties to this Memorandum of Understanding 

(MOU): 

Recalling the need for a mission to obtain a set of global, homogeneous. high-resolution 

gravity measurements. a need which has been articulated consistently since 1969; 

Noting that the international scientific community places a high priority on a gravity 

mapping mission; 

Recalling that. over the past 25 years, the Uruted States, Germany, and the European 

Community have used tracking data from an ever-increasing number of satellites to 

improve incrementally the model of the gravity field; 

Desiring to extend the fruitful cooperation between NASA and DLR in the Challenging 

Mini-Satellite Payload for Geoscientific Research and Applications (CHAMP) mission~ 

Concluding that it is technically feasible to conduct a Satellite-to-Satellite-Tracking 

(SST) gravity mission that will capitalize on the heritage of CHAMP; and 

Convinced of the scientific value of the more accurate high-resolution data that can be 

provided by such a mission; 

Have agreed as follows: 

Article 1- Purpose 

NASA and DLR each set forth in this MOU the general responsibilities of the Parties and 

the terms and conditions under which they will cooperate in the Gravity Recovery and 

Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission. 

Article 2 - Mission Descriptioll 

The GRACE mission will provide a new model o(the Earth's gravity field at monthly 

intervals for a period of 5 years. The model gravity fields will be used to help study 

global climatic issues. The GRACE mission will acquire the data for the gravity fields by 

tlying two polar-orbiting satellites in a loosely controlled tandem formation. Varia.tions 

in th\! Earth's gravity field will cause the distance between the two satellites to vary. This 

variation will be measured with high accuracy by a microwave link between the two 

satellites and measurements or these variations will be used to determine the Earth's 

grovity field. 
Article J - Responsibilities or DLR 

To impl~ment this cooperative project. DLR will use reasonable etTorts to carry out the 

following responsibilities: 

1. Support NASA as necessary in the design. development. integration and 

qualification for space flight of the two GRACE satellites and their 

instrumentation to achieve the scientific objectives of the mission. and to assure 

compatibility of the flight segment of the mission with the launch vehicle and the 

mission operations system; 

2_ Provide dedicated launch services oq a ROCKOT launch vehicle from Russia to 

deliver two GRACE satellites to a near polar orbit on a date no earlier than March 

2001. If excess mass capability is available. DLR may launch one or more copassenger satellites provided that there is no interference or impact on the 

GRACE mission's launch schedule, cost, operations, or other requirements; 

3. Provide NASA with specifications of the ROCKOT launch vehicle environmental 

conditions, safety requirements, and appropriate mechanical and electrical 

interfaces for use in the design of the two GRACE satellites; 

4. Provide required technical infonnation to enable NASA to assess the feasibility of 

providing available assets for telemetry, tracking and command (TI&C) support 

of the spacecraft during the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) of the mission, 

including initial acquisition support, and for contingency TT &C support of the 

spacecraft for the duration of the mission; , 

5. Develop and provide the mission operations and telecommand systems for the 

GRACE mission and operate the mission from launch until completion; 

6. Maintain and operate the German-controlled ground network of Global 

Positioning System (GPS) tracking stations which were implemented to support 

the CHAMP mission and are also required for the GRACE mission; 

7. Extend and develop the science data system which is being implemented to 

support CHAMP, for the GRACE mission requirements; 

8. Produce and archive the level-O data produ,cts from the GRACE satellites and 

make them available to NASA within 24 hOllrs of acquisition from the two 

GRACE satellites: 

9. Promptly inform the NASA Principal Investigator (PI). Dr. Byron Tapl~y of the 

University of Texas. and NASA of any technical or programmatic problems 

which may affect overall GRACE project schedules. cost. or performance; 
10. Support thl! \.kvelupml!nt of the Coo~rath'C: Projc:ct PI.m (CPP) as d~tailoo in 

Article 5; 

11. Com;istent with relevant taws. arrange with the ROCKOT launch pro\"id~r or 

governmental authorities that NASA-provided items will receive prompt customs 

entry at the Russian port-of-entry, and that the NASA-provided items will not be 

uncratcd or removed from their shipping containers prior to arrival at the launch 

processing site. and then only by NASA andlor its contractors; 

12. Provide for the transportation of the flight segment of the GRACE mission (which 

consists of two satellites, the instrumentation to calibrate the satellite-to-satellite 

tracking measurements) and the associated ground support equipment from the 

international port-of-entry to the Russian launch site; and 

13. Arrange for the right of NASA and/or NASA contractors: (1) to house the flight 

segment and ground support equipment in a secure payload processing facility 

while at the launch site; (2) to accompany and be physically present with the 

flight segment and ground support equipment during prelaunch and launch 

activities at the launch site; and (3) such other rights as may be agreed in the.CPP. 

Article 4 - Responsibilities of NASA 

To implement this cooperative project. NASA will use reasonable efforts to carry out the 

following responsibilities: 

1. Design, develop, integrate, and qualify for space flight, the two GRACE satellites 

and their instrumentation to achieve the scientific objectives of the mission, and to 

assure compatibility of the flight segment of the mission with the ROCKOT 

launch vehicle, and the mission operations system; 

2. Develop the flight segment of the GRACE mission which consists of two 

satellites and the instrumentation to calibrate the satellite-to-satellite tracking 

measurements; and deliver the flight segment to the international port-of-entry in 

Russia~ 

3. I f feasible. and as agreed after analysis of information provided pursuant to 

Article 3, paragraph 4. provide available assets for TT&C support of the 

spacecraft during the LEOP of the mission~ including initia.l acquisition support, 

and contingency TT &C support of the spacecraft for the duration of the mission. 

4. Continue to maintain and operate the NASA-controlled ground network ofOPS 

tracking stations which were implement~u to support th~ CHAMP mission and are 

also required for the GRACE mission; 
5. Develop th~ requisite techniques nnd capabilities tor dct~rmining the kvel-I and 

Il!vel-2 gravity data products: 

6. Produce. validate and archive the level-l data products from the GRACE 

instruments and make them available to DlR within 72 hours of acquisition ofthe 

level-O data from DLR's operations center for the GRACE mission; 

7. Promptly inform the DLR Co-Principal Investigator (Co-P[). Prof. Christopher 

Reigber of the GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam,. and DLR of any technical or 

programmatic problems which may affect overall GRACE project schedules, cos~ 

or performance; and 

8. Support the development of the CPP as detailed in Article 5. 

Article 5 - Cooperative Project Plan 

The CPP, will be the vehicle for coordinating implementation of this cooperative project 

and will include, inter alia, the following elements: 

1. NASA is the lead agency for the GRACE project. 

2 DLR is responsible for the German contribution to the mission. 

3. The PI is responsible to NASA for the overall mission. and the Co-PI is 

responsible to the PI for the implementation of the German mission elements. 

4. NASA and DLR, for the most part, will meet their respective responsibilities 

using contracts with research institutes, universities, and industry. 

5. If it becomes necessary to change the PI or Co-PI, NASA and DLR will consult 

prior to appointment ofa new PI or Co-PI. 

Furthermore. the CPP will provide for: 

6. The establishment by NASA ora GRACE Project Office to provide for project 

planning and management. This office will be responsible for the overall design. 

fabrication. test, calibration, integration, on-orbit veritication of the GRACE 

instrumentation and satellites and rordata distribution to U.S. investigators. 

7. The establishment a German GRACE Project Office that will provide satellite-toROCKOT launch vehicle comp:ltibility assessment. launch services, and launch of 

GRACE. This otlice will be responsible lor the overall design of the mission 

oper:llions system. and for opcr.ltion of the mission and maru.lgemenl of data from 

the GRACE instrumentation. The dat:l management will include delivery of the 
h:vd-O data to NASA's GRACE data syst~m and distribution of the It:vd-l and 

Icvel-2 data to thl! Euro~ investigators. 

Furthermore. the CPP will cover; 

8. The respective roles and responsibilities of the PI. Co-PI, NASA Project Manager 

(Mr. Ab Davis of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory). and DLR Project Manager 

(Mr. Frank Flechtner), in particular but not limited to. establishing a protocol and 

chain of authority for making decisions relevant to key milestones over the life of 

the project. 

9. Delivery schedules, fonnal reviews and other management procedures. 

10. All relevant technical infonnation that is needed for effective cooperation. 

II. All necessary launch site requirements, such as facilities, services and security. 

12. Rules for communications between organizations. While direct interaction 

between various contractors will be required for the purpose of exchanging 

information. all interactions must be coordinated by the appropriate contracting 

technical officers designated by the PI and Co-PI. Technical direction to any 

contractor must flow down the contracting chain from the respective prime 

contractors and be consistent with Article 9 of this MOU. 

13. The Parties will consult prior to undertaking activities involving participation by 

third parties in the plan to implement the project. It is understood that individual 

scientific investigators are not considered third parties for purposes of this type of 

consultation. In case of conflict between the CPP and this MOU, the MOU shall 

prevail. 

Artiele 6 - Project Ovenight 

Within 6 months of execution of this MOU. a Steering Group will be established by the 

PI and the Co-PI to provide oversight of the project. The membership and operating rules 

of the Steering Group will be established by the PI and Co-PI. The PI will provide 

administrative support to the Steering Group. 

Artiele 7 - Scientific Investigations 

1. In accordance with the Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP) program 

guidelines. the PI and the Co-Pl will be jointly responsible for the development of 

the scientific aspects of the coo~rotive mission and for assuring that the data are 

effectively used and that the results are expeditiously produced and made 
available:. Th~y will also be jointly responsible: tor coordinating science 

requirements. plans and tield eXJlI!riments with other organizations . 

., NASA will allocate resources to fund a post-launch Science Data Analysis 

Program (SOAP) for broad scientific studies of the Earth using the data sets 

provided by the ESSP missions. The follow-on SOAP, which will be open to all 

panies interested in ESSP mission data sets. will focus on expanded interpretation 

and analysis activities. 

3. Scientific investigations in Gennany will be funded through respective German 

research establishments and universities with resources provided by appropriate 

funding organizations, such as the German Research Society. Participation will 

be offered through an appropriate announcement of opportunity. 

Article 8 - Data Policy 

Following a preliminary evaluation and assessment of data to be conducted during the 

first 6 months of the mission, the level-l data will be placed in an appropriate data center 

and will be made available to all users without restriction at no more than the cost of 

fulfilling the user request. 

Results of the investigation will be made available to the general scientific community 

through publication in appropriate journals or other established channels as soon as 

possible and consistent with good scientific practices. In the event such reports or 

publications are copyrighted, DLR and NASA shall have a royalty-free right under the 

copyright to reproduce, distribute and use such copyrighted work for their own purposes. 

Article 9 - Exchange of Technical Data and Goods 

The Parties are obligated to transfer only those technical data and goods necessary to 

fulfill their respective responsibilities under this MOU. in accordance with the following 

provisions: 

I. Interface. integration. and safety data (excluding detailed design. development, 

production. and manufacturing data. and associated software) shall be exchanged 

by the Parties without restriction as to use or disclosure. except as specifically 

required by national laws and regulations .. 

2. [n the event a Pany finds it necessary to transter technical data or goods which are 

proprietary or subject to export control in carrying out its responsibilities under 

this MOU. the provisions ofthis paragraph shall apply. In transferring data and 

goods which are proprietary or subjcct to export controls, and for which 

protection is to be maintained. such technical data shall be marked with a notice 
and such goods shall be specifically idcmtiti~ to indicate: that they shall be used 

and disclosed by the receiving Party only tor t~ purposes of ti.tUilIing the 

recdving Party's responsibilities under this MOU. and that the marked technical 

data and identitied goods shall not be disclosed or re-transferred to any other 

entity (including the receiving Party's contractors. subcontractors, and other 

supporting entities) without the prior written permission of the furnishing Party. 

The receiving Party agrees to abide by the terms of the notice, and to protect any 

such marked technical data or identified goods from unauthorized use and 

disclosure. To the extent that the furnishing Party provides approval for further 

transfers of marked technical data or speci fically identified goods to the receiving 

Party's contractors. subcontractors, and other supporting entities, the receiving 

Party shall obtain the prior agreement of those entities to likewise protect the 

marked data and/or identified goods, and abide by the furnishing Pany's notice not 

to disclose, re-transfer or use for any purpose other than fulfilling the receiving 

Party's responsibilities under this MOU. 

3. The Parties are under no obligation to protect any unmarked technical data or 

unidentified goods. However, all technical data and goods transferred under this 

MOU shall be used eXclusively for the purposes offulfilling the Parties' 

responsibilities under this MOU. Nothing in this Article requires the Parties to 

transfer technical data or goods contrary to national laws and regulations relating 

to export control or control of classified data. 

Article 10 -Invention and Patent Rights 

Nothing in this MOU shall be construed as granting or implying any rights to. or interest 

in. patents owned or inventions which are independently developed by the Parties or their 

contractors or subcontractors. 

Article 11 - Funding 

Each Party shall bear the costs of discharging its respective responsibilities under this 

MOU. including travel and subsistence of each agency's personnel nnd transportation of 

its own equipment and associated documentation. It is understood that the ability of the 

Parties to carry out their respective responsibilities is subject to their respective funding 

procedures and the availability of appropriated funds. 

Article 12 - Customs and Taus 

Each Party shall seek to facilitate free customs clearance: and wnh·er of applicable duties 

nnd taxes lor equipment and related goods necessary for the implementation ofthis 

MOU. Such arrangements shall be fully reciprocal. DLR will be responsible tor any 
dutic!S and ~"l.'(es assessed by Russian authoriti~s. based on the current estimate.of O. t 5% 

of the value. on the NASA-provided flight segment and/or associated ground support 

~uipment. 

Article 13 - Publication or Public Inf'onnation and Results 

The Parties retain the rignt to release public information regarding their own activities 

under this MOU. The Parties shall coordinate with each other in advance concerning 

public infonnation activities which relate to the other Party's responsibilities or 

performance under this MOU, 

Artide 14 - Liability 

t. The purpose of this Article is to establish a cross-waiver of liability between the 

Parties and the Parties' related entities in the interest of encouraging space 

exploration and investment. The cross-waiver of liability shall be broadly 

construed to achieve this objective. 

2. For the purposes of this Article: 

(a) Related Entity means: 

(i) a contractor or subcontractor of a Party at any tier; 

(ii) a user or customer of a Party at any tier; 

(iii) a contractor or subcontractor of a user or customer of a Party at 

any tier; or 

(iv) This subparagraph may also apply to a State or an agency or an 

institution of a State having the same relationship to a Party 

as described in (i) through (iii) above or otherwise engaged in the 

implementation of Protected Space Operations as defined in (2Xe) 

below, 

"Contractors" and "Subcontractors" include suppliers of any kind. 

(b) Damage means: 

(i) bodily injury to, or other impairment of health of. or death of, any 

person; 

(ii) damage to. loss of. or loss of use of any property~ 

(iii) loss of revenue or profits; or 

(iv) other direct. indirect. or consequential damage. 
(c) The term "bunch vehicl~" means an object or any part thereof intended for 

launch. launched from Earth. or returning to Earth which comes pa)'loads or 

persons. or both. 

(d) The tenn "payload" means all property to be Oo .... n or used on or in a launch 

vehicle. 

(e) . The tenn "Protected Space Operations" means all activities pursuant to this 

MOU. including launch vehicle activities and payload activities on Earth, in 

outer space, or in transit between Earth and outer space. It includes, but is not 

limited to: 

(i) research. design, development, test. manufacture, assembly, integration. 

operation, or use of launch or transfer vehicles, payloads. or instruments, as 

well as related support equipment and facilities and services; 

(ii) all activities related to ground support, test, training, simulation, or guidance 

and control equipment and related facilities or services. 

The term "Protected Space Operations" excludes activities on Earth which are 

conducted on return from space to develop further a payload's product or process for 

use other than for the activity in question. 

3. (a) Each Party agrees to a cross-waiver of liability pursuant to which each Party 

waives all claims against any of the entities or persons listed in sub-paragraphs (i) 

through (iii) below based on damage arising out of Protected Space Operations. This 

cross-waiver shall apply only if the person, entity, or property causing the damage is 

involved in Protected Space Operations and the person, entity. or property damaged is 

damaged by virtue of its involvement in Protected Space Operations. The crOsswaiver shall apply to any claims for damage, whatever the legal basis for such claims, 

including but not limited to delict and tort (including negligence of every degree and 

kind) and contract, against: 

(i) the other Party; 

(ii) a related entity of the other Party; 

(iii) the employees of any of the entities ide~tified in sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) 

above. 

(b) In addition, each Party shall extend the" cross-waiver of liability as set forth in 

paragraph 3 (a) above to its own related entities by requiring them. by contract 

or otherwise, to agree to waive all claims against the entities or persons 

identitied in sub-paragraphs 3 (a) (i) through 3 (n) (iii) above. 

(c) This cross-waiver of liability shall be applicable to liability arising from the 

Convention on the International Liability for Damage Caused by Space 
Obj~cts of March 29. 1972. where t~ ~rson. ~ntity. or property causing the 

damage is involved in Protected Space Operations and the person. ~ti(y. or 

property damaged is damaged by virtue of its involvement in Protected Space 

Operations. 

(d) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article, this cross-waiver of 

liability shall not be applicable to: 

(i) claims between a Party and its own related entity or between its oVlln related 

entities; 

(ii) claims made by a natural person, hislher estate. survivors. or subrogees for 

bodily injury. other impainnent of health or death of such natural person. 

except where a subrogee is one of the Parties; 

(iii) claims for damage caused by willful misconduct; 

(iv) intellectual property claims; 

(v) claims for damage resulting from a failure of the Parties to extend the crosswaiver of liability as set forth in paragraph 3 (b) or from a failure of the 

Parties to ensure that their related entities extend the cross-waiver of liability 

as set forth in paragraph 3 (b); or 

(vi) contract claims between the Parties based on the express contractual 

provisions. 

( e) Nothing in this Article shall be construed to create the basis for a claim or suit 

where none would otherwise exist. 

Artide 15 - Entry into Force, Duration, Amendment and Termination 

This MOU shall enter into force upon signature by both Parties and remain in force until 

7 years after the GRACE satellites have been launched. This MOU may be amended or 

extended by written agreement of the Parties. Either Party may terminate this MOU at 

any time upon 6 months written notice to the other Party. In the event of such 

tennination, the Parties will consult with each other to minimize the negative effects of 

such a termination. 
Done at: 

FOR THE NATIONAL 

AERONAUTICS SPACE 

ADMINISTRATION OF THE 

UNITED STATES 

Don~at: 

Date: "'0." 2. '8 

AEROSPACE CENTER 

FOR THE GERMAN 

AEROSPACE CENTER 
Agreement to Amend and Extend the 

Memorandum of Understanding 

Between the 

United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

and the 

German Aerospace Center 

for 

International Cooperation on the GRACE Mission 

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the German 

Aerospace Center (DLR); 

Desiring to continue their cooperation with respect to the Gravity Recovery and Climate 

Experiment (GRACE) Mission under their Memorandum of Understanding (hereinafter referred 

to as the "MOU") signed by NASA on November 13, 1998, and by DLR on December 12, 1998; 

and 

Deciding to amend and extend the enclosed MOU as specified herein; 

Hereby agree as follows: 

ARTICLE 2 shall be replaced with the following: 

ARTICLE 2 - Mission Description 

The extended GRACE mission is intended to provide an improved model of the Earth's 

gravity field at monthly intervals. The model gravity fields will be used to enhance global 

climate studies. The GRACE mission will continue to acquire the data for the gravity fields 

by flying two polar-orbiting satellites in a loosely controlled tandem formation. Variations in 

the Earth's gravity field will cause the distance between the two satellites to vary. This 

variation will be measured with high accuracy by a microwave link between the two satellites 

and measurements of these variations will be used to determine the Earth's gravity field. The 

Parties acknowledge that any future extensions of GRACE operations are subject to 

approvals through established NASA and DLR processes and subsequent NASA-DLR 

coordination. 

Pursuant to ARTICLE 151)fthe MOU, the duration of the MOU shall be extended until 

December 31,2009. 

NOTE: On the MOU of 1998, it appears that DLR signed on December 10, 1998.
This agreement shall enter into force on the date of the last signature below. 

FOR THE UNITED STATES 

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND 

SPACEADMINIST ION 

Date . 

Enclosure 

FOR THE GERMAN AEROSPACE 

CENTER (DLR) 

rMnn 

Christoph Hohage t:; 

Date u 
Agreement to Extend the 

Memorandum of Understanding 

Between the 

United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

and the 

German Aerospace Center 

for 

International Cooperation on the GRACE Mission 

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the German 

Aerospace Center (DLR); 

Desiring to continue their cooperation with respect to the Gravity Recovery and Climate 

Experiment (GRACE) Mission under their Memorandum of Understanding (hereinafter 

referred to as the "MOU") signed by NASA on November 13. 1998 and by DLR on December 

12. 1998. as amended and extended; and 

Deciding to extend the enclosed MOU as specified herein; 

Hereby agree as follows: 

Pursuant to ARTICLE 15 of the MOU. the duration of the MOU shall be extended until 

June 22. 2010. 

This agreement shall enter into force on the date of the last signature below. 

Date 

Enclosure 

FOR THE GERMAN AEROSPACE 

CENTER 

It 

Date 

Hubert Reile 

Program Director Space 

i~. ~~l «(tt7~ Date 

NOTE: On the MOU of 1998, it appears that DLR signed on December 10, 1998.
Agreement to Extend the 

Memorandum of Understanding 

between the 

United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

and the 

Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. 

for International Cooperation on the 

Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) Mission 

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the 

Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR); 

Desiring to continue their cooperation with respect to the Gravity Recovery and Climate 

Experiment (GRACE) Mission under their Memorandum of Understanding (hereinafter 

referred to as the "MOU") signed by NASA on November 13, 1998, and by DLR on 

December 12, 1998, as amended and extended; and 

Deciding to extend the enclosed MOU as specified herein; 

Hereby agree as follows: 

Pursuant to Article 15 of the MOU, the duration of the MOU shall be extended until 

December 31,2015, or the end of the GRACE Mission, whichever is later. The end of the 

GRACE Mission "viII be determined by the Steering Group established under Article 6 of the 

MOU. 

This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of the last signature below: 

For the United States 

National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration 

arver 

Deputy Administrator 

Date: --

Enclosure 

\ ... 1 \> 

For the Deutsches Zentrum fuer 

Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. 

NOTE: On the MOU of 1998, it appears that DLR signed on December 10, 1998.