Essential Facts about Current and Future Earth Observation Missions

The EOS or the Earth Observing System aims to provide scientists an in-depth knowledge of the Earth’s land surface, oceans, atmosphere and biosphere. Furthermore, this major component of NASA’s Earth Science Division enables humans an understanding of the planet as an integrated system.

Information about the Earth Systematic Missions

The Earth Systematic Missions continue to promote the public’s understanding of the climate change and system in the planet. To meet this objective, the ESM has outlined the series of studies in the Decadal Survey document that was released in 2007. The survey missions are divided into three phases, and each of these encompasses numerous Earth Science disciplines.

Tier 1 began in 2010, and it is expected to end in 2013. In this phase of the Decadal Survey missions, four satellite missions will measure the global climate change by analyzing various factors such as soil moisture, earth and solar radiation, height differences in ice sheet, freeze cycles, and vegetation structure.

The Tier 2 satellite missions are scheduled to begin from 2013 to 2016. Five missions aim to explore the earth’s vegetation changes, climate profiles, land surface composition, atmospheric gas columns, and the water levels in lakes, rivers and oceans. Moreover, the missions will enhance the public’s knowledge of ocean biogeochemistry, determine the ecosystem’s current situation, and improve forecasts of air quality.

The Decadal Survey’s final tier will launch from 2016 to 2020. It is comprised of six satellite missions, and four of these are focused on collecting data for an accurate prediction of natural hazards, management of water resources and weather forecasting. The remaining two missions will target on pollution transport, measurements of tropospheric wind, and stratospheric air quality.

Scientists continue to analyze past data and gather additional information through NASA’s series of satellite missions, so they can examine the chemical and physical processes of the earth’s atmosphere, cryosphere, ocean and land structures. These missions also allow the public to understand the planet’s climate change, as well as the growing seasons, weather patterns, and various geophysical societal issues. With these missions, scientist can determine effective solutions in reducing concerns linked with climate change that affect all creatures on earth.


earth planet

Share on digg


Comments are closed.