NASA has selected two University of Washington-led teams for satellite missions aimed at enhancing our understanding of Earth and improving disaster preparedness. The STRIVE and EDGE missions, part of NASA's Earth System Explorers Program, will address critical environmental challenges. With an estimated cost of up to $355 million each, these missions are set to launch no earlier than 2030.
STRIVE: Unveiling Atmospheric Secrets
The Stratosphere-Troposphere Response using Infrared Vertically-resolved light Explorer (STRIVE) mission, led by Lyatt Jaeglé, a UW professor of atmospheric and climate science, will delve into the atmosphere's intricate dynamics. STRIVE's compact instruments, fitting in an SUV's trunk, can make over 400,000 observations daily. By angling sideways, they capture atmospheric details that traditional missions miss. This technology will reveal temperature and trace gas variations, impacting aviation and volcanic smoke transport. Jaeglé highlights STRIVE's ability to monitor ozone and other chemical species in the stratosphere, crucial for understanding air pollution's role in wildfires and volcanic eruptions.
EDGE: Mapping Earth's Surface in 3D
The Earth Dynamics Geodetic Explorer (EDGE), led by Helen Amanda Fricker from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, employs lasers to observe Earth's surface in three dimensions. Benjamin Smith and Tyler Sutterly, both from the UW Applied Physics Laboratory, join the team. EDGE will be the first global satellite imaging laser altimeter system, capturing surface details with over 150,000 measurements per second. It will precisely track changes in surface elevation, providing insights into climate change impacts on ice sheets and glaciers. David Shean emphasizes EDGE's potential to revolutionize scientific and engineering applications, from sea level rise monitoring to natural hazard management.
These missions represent a significant leap in Earth observation technology, offering valuable data for climate research and disaster mitigation. With NASA's support, the UW-led teams are poised to make groundbreaking discoveries, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future.
