NASA Unveils Two Groundbreaking Earth System Explorer Missions to Better Understand Our Planet and Beyond.
Two state-of-the-art satellite missions have been selected by NASA as part of its ambitious Earth System Explorers Program, aimed at significantly enhancing the agency's understanding of Earth's surface, atmosphere, and ecosystems. The newly chosen missions will provide critical data that can aid in disaster response, improve weather forecasting capabilities, and ultimately inform future space exploration endeavors.
These two new additions to the program, STRIVE and EDGE, are designed to build upon the groundbreaking work already conducted by NASA's ICESat-2 and GEDI satellites. With a combined estimated cost of $355 million, the missions will utilize advanced technology to gather high-resolution data on Earth's atmospheric elements, aerosols, and surface topography.
The STRIVE mission, led by Dr. Lyatt Jaeglé at the University of Washington, will focus on obtaining daily, near-global measurements of temperature and various atmospheric components from the upper troposphere to the mesosphere. This advanced sensor suite is expected to greatly enhance weather forecasting capabilities, particularly for coastal communities that account for nearly half of the world's population.
In contrast, the EDGE mission, led by Dr. Helen Amanda Fricker at the University of California San Diego, will concentrate on observing the three-dimensional structure of terrestrial ecosystems and surface topography of glaciers, ice sheets, and sea ice. By mapping these areas in unprecedented detail, researchers hope to better comprehend land and sea transportation corridors, as well as other vital commercial zones.
Both missions are expected to undergo a confirmation review in 2027, with mission launch dates set no earlier than 2030. With the success of these Earth System Explorer missions, NASA is poised to further its understanding of our planet's complex systems, ultimately ensuring the safety of astronauts and spacecraft on future lunar and Mars-bound missions.
For more information on the Earth System Explorers Program, please visit: https://explorers.larc.nasa.gov/2023ESE
Two state-of-the-art satellite missions have been selected by NASA as part of its ambitious Earth System Explorers Program, aimed at significantly enhancing the agency's understanding of Earth's surface, atmosphere, and ecosystems. The newly chosen missions will provide critical data that can aid in disaster response, improve weather forecasting capabilities, and ultimately inform future space exploration endeavors.
These two new additions to the program, STRIVE and EDGE, are designed to build upon the groundbreaking work already conducted by NASA's ICESat-2 and GEDI satellites. With a combined estimated cost of $355 million, the missions will utilize advanced technology to gather high-resolution data on Earth's atmospheric elements, aerosols, and surface topography.
The STRIVE mission, led by Dr. Lyatt Jaeglé at the University of Washington, will focus on obtaining daily, near-global measurements of temperature and various atmospheric components from the upper troposphere to the mesosphere. This advanced sensor suite is expected to greatly enhance weather forecasting capabilities, particularly for coastal communities that account for nearly half of the world's population.
In contrast, the EDGE mission, led by Dr. Helen Amanda Fricker at the University of California San Diego, will concentrate on observing the three-dimensional structure of terrestrial ecosystems and surface topography of glaciers, ice sheets, and sea ice. By mapping these areas in unprecedented detail, researchers hope to better comprehend land and sea transportation corridors, as well as other vital commercial zones.
Both missions are expected to undergo a confirmation review in 2027, with mission launch dates set no earlier than 2030. With the success of these Earth System Explorer missions, NASA is poised to further its understanding of our planet's complex systems, ultimately ensuring the safety of astronauts and spacecraft on future lunar and Mars-bound missions.
For more information on the Earth System Explorers Program, please visit: https://explorers.larc.nasa.gov/2023ESE
. It's crazy to me how much we can learn from space about our own planet - like, did you know that the EDGE mission will actually map the 3D structure of glaciers and sea ice? That sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie! I also think it's cool that these missions will help improve weather forecasting, which is super important for coastal communities. And who knows, maybe one day we'll use this data to help prevent or prepare for natural disasters 
. The estimated cost of $355 million seems steep, but if it means better understanding our planet and potentially sending humans back to the moon or Mars, I think it's worth it 
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. STRIVE and EDGE are gonna be game changers for weather forecasting and understanding our planet's ecosystems 
. The idea of having daily, near-global measurements of temperature and atmospheric components is mind-blowing - imagine being able to predict hurricanes with way more accuracy 
. And the fact that they're focusing on terrestrial ecosystems and surface topography is huge too 
. I'm excited to see how these missions are gonna help us better understand our planet's complex systems, especially when it comes to land and sea transportation corridors 
. With NASA's track record of pushing boundaries and pushing the limits of space exploration, I've got high hopes for these missions 
. It's not just about improving weather forecasting or understanding our planet - it's also about setting us up for success on future lunar and Mars-bound missions 
. Bring it on! 
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the strive mission sounds like it's gonna revolutionize weather forecasting, that's so important for coastal cities & stuff. and then there's the EDGE mission, mapping out ecosystems & ice sheets... that's like, basically solving a giant puzzle! 
can't wait to see these missions take off (literally!) in 2030, wish i could be part of the team 
And what's with the $355 million budget? That's a lot of cash for two satellites. Shouldn't that money be spent on, like, actual space exploration or something?