The main objective of the ESA project “NGGM and MAGIC End-to-End Mission Performance Evaluation (MPEF)” (ESA contract no. 4000145266/24/NL/SC) is the design and prototype implementation of the NGGM/MAGIC ground processor, including integration and performance evaluation and full-fledged documentation. MAGIC (Mass-change And Geosciences International Constellation) is the joint ESA/NASA gravity satellite constellation being composed by the NASA/DLR funded polar pair GRACE-C (target launch: 2028), and the ESA funded 70° inclined pair NGGM (Next-Generation Gravity mission) with a target launch date in 2032.

The MPEF project started in September 2024 and is performed by a European project consortium of 10 institutions. The MPEF system consists of the NGGM and MAGIC End-to-End Mission Performance Evaluation Simulator (NEMPES), and the Performance Assessment Module (PAM). It is capable of processing both, the inclined pair NGGM and the double-pair constellation MAGIC. The concept includes a fast-track and a final processing line. The goal of the fast-track line is to provide gravity field products with short latency for (pre-)operational service applications, such as drought and flood monitoring and forecasting, and water management. 

The MPEF is composed of the Central Processing facility (CPF) and various Distributed Processing Facilities (DPFs). The CPF hosts the orchestrator for the complete MPEF (NEMPES + PAM) processing flow, the NEMPES Level 0/Level 1a to Level 1b and Level 2a to Level 3, the PAM Level 0 to Level 3, and a data Archiving and dissemination system. The DPFs cover the modules of NEMPES Level 1b to Level 2a, involving complex tasks of orbits and global gravity field modelling and thus requiring extensive expertise and manual expert control. The MPEF orchestrator is the central element of the CPF that manages and controls the complete processing chain of the individual NEMPES and PAM processing scenarios. It is a flexible tool allowing (almost) fully automated processing.

In addition, enhanced experimental processing methods are developed and evaluated, which could turn into potential future enhancements of the MPEF system. They include the stochastic modelling of background model errors, advanced fast-track processing strategies, mascon modelling, regional gravity modelling strategies, and very fast-track thermosphere products.