NASA’s PACE Satellite Set to Launch, Mapping Ocean Hues for Global Health Assessment
NASA is gearing up for the launch of its PACE spacecraft, a satellite that will play a crucial role in assessing the health of oceans worldwide. The spacecraft is scheduled to take off from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Tuesday, February 6th, at 1:33 a.m. EST. The liftoff will be broadcasted live on Space.com and NASA’s website, with coverage beginning at 12:45 a.m. EST.
PACE, short for Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem, will be delivered to an orbit 420 miles above Earth, which is approximately 70% higher than the International Space Station’s orbit. Equipped with three science instruments, PACE will collect data on clouds, aerosols, and phytoplankton growth to determine ocean color. By measuring the color and amount of light, scientists will gain a better understanding of the types and locations of microscopic algae that are essential to the health of Earth’s oceans and marine life.
This mission is part of NASA’s ongoing efforts to observe ocean biology and gather key measurements related to air quality and climate. PACE will continue this work for at least three years, assuming all goes according to plan.
The road to the launch pad has not been an easy one for PACE. The Trump administration attempted to cancel the mission three times in its budget proposals for fiscal years 2018, 2019, and 2020. However, Congress stepped in each time and allocated the necessary funds to save the project. Originally slated for a 2022 liftoff with a total cost of $805 million, PACE’s price tag has since increased to $948 million.
The launch of PACE is just one of many missions on SpaceX’s busy agenda this year. In January alone, the company successfully launched 10 orbital missions, setting a record for the most launches in a single month. SpaceX’s CEO, Elon Musk, has even bigger plans for the future, aiming to launch 144 missions by 2024.
As PACE prepares for its journey into space, scientists and researchers eagerly await the valuable data it will provide. With its ability to map out the ocean’s hues and monitor the health of our planet’s vital ecosystems, PACE is poised to make significant contributions to our understanding of Earth’s oceans and their impact on climate and marine life.
