SpaceX is gearing up for its second NASA mission of the year, with the launch of the PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) spacecraft scheduled for Tuesday morning. The Falcon 9 rocket will carry the Earth-observing satellite, which aims to expand our understanding of the oceans and atmosphere. The launch will take place from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
This mission holds historical significance as it will be the first time in over 60 years that a U.S. government mission has targeted a polar orbit from Cape Canaveral. Polar flights were suspended after a cow in Cuba was killed by falling debris from a failed launch in 1960, causing protests in Havana. Since then, polar launches have been conducted from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. However, SpaceX’s autonomous flight safety system and ability to land boosters either on land or on a droneship have made it possible to safely conduct polar launches from Florida.
The Falcon 9 first stage booster for this mission, tail number B1081, will be making its fourth flight. The booster has previously launched the Crew-7 quartet to the International Space Station (ISS), as well as a Cargo Dragon and a Starlink mission. The decision to reuse boosters is based on the qualification status of the components rather than the number of flights they have completed.
NASA’s PACE mission aims to increase our understanding of the interplay between the oceans and atmosphere by studying phytoplankton and aerosols. Phytoplankton, which are micro-algae at the base of the marine food chain, play a crucial role in supporting fisheries and absorbing carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. Aerosols, on the other hand, are tiny particles that have a significant impact on weather, air quality, and climate. They can come from various sources such as dust, wildfires, and human activities.
Karen St. Germain, the director of NASA’s Earth Science Division, emphasized the importance of understanding these systems for both scientific advancement and the U.S. economy. The ocean economy contributes over $350 billion to the country’s gross domestic product annually and employs millions of people. However, it is also vulnerable to adverse impacts such as harmful algal blooms, which can be costly. The data collected by the PACE mission will help researchers develop models and predictive tools to make better decisions regarding the Earth system.
As the launch teams prepare for liftoff, weather conditions remain a concern. The probability of violating weather conditions for the Tuesday morning launch opportunity is estimated to be 60 percent. Strong winds and showers along the coastline could potentially affect the launch. However, the forecast improves for Wednesday morning, with a reduced chance of violating weather conditions.
The PACE mission is expected to last three years initially but has enough fuel to support a 10-year mission. NASA will evaluate the mission periodically to determine if an extension is feasible and desirable. The ultimate goal is to gather valuable data that can be used to make informed decisions about the Earth’s oceans and atmosphere, benefiting both scientific research and various sectors of the economy.