The NASA PACE mission (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, and ocean Ecosystem) marks a revolutionary step in Earth observation. Launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, this mission is set to provide an unprecedented view of Earth’s microscopic marine life and atmospheric particles. The launch was a success, with the spacecraft’s solar arrays deploying correctly and confirming the satellite’s power reception.
This ambitious NASA PACE mission is the culmination of two decades of scientific visioning aimed at better understanding the interconnectedness of oceanic and atmospheric processes. It is equipped with advanced instruments, including two polarimeters and a camera, capable of capturing a diverse spectrum of light. This will enable scientists to observe phenomena previously invisible to us, as explained by Karen St. Germain, director of NASA’s Earth Science Division.
Central to the NASA PACE mission is the study of how aerosols and clouds, along with phytoplankton in the oceans, serve as indicators of ocean health and global warming. Jeremy Werdell, the PACE project scientist, emphasizes the mission’s focus on exploring the “microscopic, mostly invisible universe in the sea, the sky, and to some extent, on land.”
With an initial design for a three-year mission, the NASA PACE mission has enough fuel to potentially continue for up to a decade. It joins over two dozen other NASA Earth science missions that collectively provide critical data on our planet’s oceans, land, ice, and atmosphere. This data is integral to understanding the evolving climate crisis, as pointed out by NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy.
The mission is expected to yield groundbreaking insights into carbon exchange between the ocean and atmosphere, the role of aerosols in Earth’s weather and climate, and the mapping of phytoplankton, which form the base of the marine food web. The Ocean Color Instrument on board PACE will utilize over 100 wavelengths of light to study these microorganisms on a global scale.
As Earth faces unprecedented climate challenges, the NASA PACE mission represents a significant stride in our ability to monitor and understand our planet’s complex ecosystems. This mission is not just about exploring outer space but about leveraging its unique vantage point to protect and study our home planet. The data and insights provided by PACE will be crucial in informing global strategies to safeguard Earth and its inhabitants for future generations.
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/08/world/nasa-pace-climate-launch-scn/index.html