CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. NASA’s latest climate satellite embarked on its mission Thursday to meticulously observe the world’s oceans and atmosphere as never before.
SpaceX successfully launched the Pace satellite on its $948 million endeavor before dawn, as the Falcon rocket soared southward over the Atlantic to attain a rare polar orbit.
Over the next three years, the satellite, stationed 420 miles (676 kilometers) above the Earth, will scrutinize the oceans and atmosphere, capturing unprecedented levels of detail. Two of its science instruments will conduct daily global scans, while a third will provide monthly measurements.
“It’s going to be an unprecedented view of our home planet,” remarked project scientist Jeremy Werdell.
These observations are poised to enhance scientists’ understanding of weather phenomena such as hurricanes, track Earth’s transformations amidst rising temperatures, and improve forecasts for harmful algae blooms.
While NASA already boasts more than two dozen Earth-observing satellites and instruments in orbit, Pace is anticipated to offer unparalleled insights into the interactions between atmospheric aerosols, such as pollutants and volcanic ash, and marine life like algae and plankton.
“Pace will give us another dimension to what other satellites observe,” remarked NASA’s director of Earth science, Karen St. Germain.
Pace, short for Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, Ocean Ecosystem, represents the most sophisticated mission ever undertaken to study ocean biology.
Unlike current Earth-observing satellites, which can discern seven or eight colors, Pace’s advanced technology enables it to perceive an astounding 200 colors. This capability will enable scientists to pinpoint various algae types in the sea and identify different air particles.
Scientists anticipate receiving data from Pace within the next month or two.
Additionally, NASA is collaborating with India on another cutting-edge Earth-observing satellite slated for launch this year. Dubbed Nisar, it will utilize radar to gauge the impact of rising temperatures on glaciers and other melting icy surfaces.
Despite challenges from the previous administration, NASA’s Pace project persevered.
“It has been a long, strange trip as they say,” Werdell reflected prior to the launch.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
