NASA’s PACE Spacecraft Set to Expand Earth Knowledge with New Mission
In the quest to unravel the mysteries of our planet, NASA is gearing up to launch its latest Earth-observing spacecraft, the PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem). With a mission to greatly expand our understanding of the globe, PACE is set to embark on a groundbreaking journey that will build upon over two decades of direct Earth observation.
Described as a “jewel” among the Earth-observing fleet by Dr. Nicola Fox, the associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, PACE aims to explore the ocean world right here on Earth. While NASA is actively searching for signs of life elsewhere in the universe, studying our own oceans is a crucial step in understanding how life may exist on other planets.
After its launch, PACE will be positioned in a sun synchronous, polar orbit at an altitude of 676.5 km (420 mi) with a 98-degree inclination. The spacecraft has a design life of three years but carries enough fuel for up to ten years. The total cost of the mission, including launch costs, spacecraft development, and operating support, amounts to $948 million.
PACE is equipped with three main instruments to study the oceans and their interaction with the atmosphere. The Ocean Color Instrument (OCI), developed at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, will provide researchers with a richer gradient of colors of the oceans’ surface, enabling them to identify specific types of phytoplankton. These microscopic organisms play a vital role in both short-term and long-term measures of Earth’s health, influencing climate and carbon movement through the system.
The Hyper Angular Rainbow Polarimeter (HARP2) and Spectro-polarimeter for Planetary Exploration (SPEXone) will complement OCI’s observations by shedding light on aerosols and cloud formation. By studying these factors, PACE will contribute to our understanding of air quality, climate, and the exchange of carbon between the ocean and atmosphere.
Jeremy Werdell, the PACE project scientist, emphasizes the importance of daily observations of transient creatures like phytoplankton. Unlike land plants, these organisms do not persist on the same scale, making it crucial to capture their behavior and impact on a daily basis. PACE’s wide-swath instruments will enable it to observe the entire Earth every day, providing invaluable data for oceanography and related fields.
The data collected by PACE will be made available to researchers and the broader public within 60 days of launch. Natasha Sadoff, NASA’s satellite needs program manager, highlights the wide-ranging applications of this data, from understanding water quality and its impact on human health to improving air quality forecasts and alerts.
NASA plans to provide PACE data for free on its website, ensuring accessibility for decision-makers and communities interested in utilizing this information. The mission is scheduled for launch on Tuesday, February 3, at 1:33 a.m. EST (0633 UTC), with a backup opportunity on Wednesday morning if necessary.
As SpaceX prepares for liftoff, the Falcon 9 rocket carrying PACE will have to contend with its own clouds. The launch is set to take place from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, marking the beginning of an exciting chapter in Earth observation and our quest for knowledge about our planet’s intricate ecosystems.
With PACE at the forefront of this endeavor, NASA is poised to unlock new insights into our oceans, atmosphere, and the delicate balance that sustains life on Earth. As we expand our understanding of our own planet, we inch closer to unraveling the mysteries of life beyond our world.