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%2C%20Glick%20said.

Robot probes monitor Antarctica ice shelf melting

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NASA launches greenhouse gas-detection instrument

The%20UK%20military%20has%20launched%20its%20first%20satellite%20which%20can%20capture%20daytime%20images%20and%20videos%20of%20the%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20surface.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20satellite%2C%20named%20Tyche%2C%20will%20support%20military%20operations%20as%20well%20as%20environmental%20disaster%20monitoring%2C%20mapping%20information%20development%20and%20tracking%20the%20impact%20of%20climate%20change%20globally%2C%20the%20Ministry%20of%20Defence%20(MoD)%20said.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20satellite%20was%20launched%20on%20Friday%20from%20a%20rocket%20owned%20by%20SpaceX%2C%20the%20company%20co-founded%20by%20technology%20entrepreneur%20and%20billionaire%20Elon%20Musk.%0A%0ATyche%2C%20which%20is%20comparable%20in%20size%20to%20a%20washing%20machine%2C%20was%20designed%20and%20built%20in%20the%20UK%20through%20a%20%C2%A322%20million%20contract%20awarded%20to%20Surrey%20Satellites%20Technology%20Limited%20(SSTL)%20and%20is%20the%20first%20satellite%20to%20be%20fully%20owned%20by%20the%20MoD.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20MoD%20said%20the%20war%20in%20Ukraine%20had%20shown%20that%20the%20use%20of%20space%20is%20%E2%80%9Ccrucial%E2%80%9D%20to%20military%20operations.%0A%0ASSTL%20received%20the%20first%20signals%20from%20Tyche%20a%20few%20hours%20after%20lift-off%20that%20confirmed%20the%20successful%20launch%20from%20Vandenberg%20space%20force%20base%2C%20California%2C%20on%20a%20SpaceX%20Falcon%209%20rocket%20as%20part%20of%20the%20Transporter%2011%20mission.%20%0A%20%0AOver%20a%20five-year%20life%20span%2C%20the%20150kg%20satellite%20will%20provide%20imagery%20to%20support%20the%20UK%20armed%20forces%20and%20is%20the%20first%20to%20be%20launched%20by%20the%20MoD%20out%20of%20a%20constellation%20of%20satellites%20under%20its%20space-based%20Intelligence%2C%20Surveillance%20and%20Reconnaissance%20(ISR)%20programme.%20%0A%20%0AMaria%20Eagle%2C%20minister%20for%20defence%20procurement%20and%20industry%2C%20said%3A%E2%80%AF%E2%80%9CTyche%20will%20provide%20essential%20intelligence%20for%20military%20operations%20as%20well%20as%20supporting%20wider%20tasks%20across%20government.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CTyche%20also%20shows%20the%20UK%E2%80%99s%20commitment%20to%20support%20innovation%20in%20science%20and%20technology%2C%20stimulating%20growth%20across%20the%20sector%20and%20supporting%20highly-skilled%20jobs%20in%20the%20UK.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%20%0AThe%20MoD%20said%20the%20design%20and%20build%20of%20Tyche%20had%20supported%20about%20100%20high-skilled%20roles%20at%20SSTL%20since%202022.%0A%0AUK%20Space%20Commander%20Major%20General%20Paul%20Tedman%20said%3A%E2%80%AF%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20a%20fabulous%20day%20for%20UK%20space.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20successful%20launch%20of%20Tyche%20has%20shown%20that%20UK%20Space%20Command%2C%20and%20its%20essential%20partners%20across%20defence%20and%20industry%2C%20can%20rapidly%20take%20a%20concept%20through%20to%20the%20delivery%20of%20a%20satellite%20capability%20on%20orbit.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CTyche%20represents%20the%20first%20of%20a%20future%20constellation%20of%20Intelligence%2C%20Surveillance%20and%20Reconnaissance%20satellites%20that%20we%E2%80%99ll%20launch%20over%20the%20coming%20years.%20%0A%20%0A%E2%80%9CI%E2%80%99d%20like%20to%20take%20this%20opportunity%20to%20congratulate%20everybody%20involved%20with%20Tyche%20and%20thank%20them%20for%20their%20support.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ADefence%20equipment%20and%20support%20space%20team%20leader%20Paul%20Russell%20described%20the%20project%20as%20an%20%E2%80%9Cexciting%20journey%E2%80%9D.%20%0A%20%0AHe%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CTo%20see%20Tyche%20%E2%80%93%20the%20first%20of%20a%20new%20generation%20of%20UK%20military%20capabilities%20%E2%80%93%20delivered%20into%20orbit%20is%20an%20incredibly%20proud%20moment%20and%20a%20tribute%20to%20everyone%E2%80%99s%20commitment%20to%20this%20key%20project.%E2%80%9D

UK launches first military earth-imaging satellite

A%20McGill-led%20research%20team%20has%20developed%20the%20first%20real-time%2C%20on-site%20technology%20capable%20of%20detecting%20and%20deciphering%20nanoplastics%20from%20all%20other%20particles%20in%20water%2C%20a%20capacity%20akin%20to%20being%20able%20to%20find%20a%20needle%20in%20a%20haystack%20within%20milliseconds.%0A%0AThe%20work%2C%20%22Nanoplastics%20in%20water%3A%20Artificial%20intelligence-assisted%204D%20physicochemical%20characterization%20and%20rapid%20in%20situ%20detection%2C%22%20was%20published%20in%20Environmental%20Science%20%26%20Technology.%0A%0AMicroplastic%20pieces%20are%20between%201%20micrometer%20and%205%20millimeters%2C%20roughly%20equivalent%20to%20a%20grain%20of%20rice.%20Nanoplastics%20are%20far%20tinier%E2%80%94a%20single%20nanometer%20is%20just%200.000001%20millimeters.%20For%20comparison%2C%20a%20human%20hair%20is%20approximately%2080%2C000%E2%80%93100%2C000%20nanometers%20wide.%0A%0A%22This%20technology%20has%20the%20potential%20to%20revolutionize%20how%20we%20monitor%20and%20manage%20plastic%20pollution%2C%20ultimately%20contributing%20to%20the%20preservation%20of%20our%20environment%2C%22%20said%20Parisa%20Ariya%2C%20James%20McGill%20Professor%20in%20the%20Departments%20of%20Chemistry%20and%20Atmospheric%20and%20Oceanic%20Sciences%20at%20McGill%2C%20the%20study's%20lead%20author.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20the%20United%20Nations%20Environment%20Program%20(UNEP)%2C%20the%20equivalent%20of%20approximately%202%2C000%20garbage%20trucks%20full%20of%20plastic%20is%20dumped%20into%20the%20world's%20oceans%2C%20rivers%20and%20lakes%20each%20day.%20Understanding%20the%20impact%20of%20nanoplastics%20on%20ecosystems%20has%20been%20challenging%20due%20to%20the%20limitations%20of%20existing%20detection%20methods.%0A%0AThe%20artificial-intelligence-powered%20innovation%20addresses%20a%20critical%20need%20for%20real-time%20analysis%20of%20plastic%20pollution.%20This%20technology%2C%20an%20AI-assisted%2C%20nano%20digital%20in-line%20holographic%20microscopy%20dubbed%20%22AI-Assisted%20Nano-DIHM%2C%22%20has%20garnered%20attention%20from%20experts%20since%20the%20innovation%20was%20unveiled%20in%20a%20recent%20publication.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EA%20practical%20tool%20for%20identifying%20pollution%20'hotspots'%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0A%22Our%20research%20has%20demonstrated%20that%20the%20AI-Assisted%20Nano-DIHM%20can%20automatically%20detect%20and%20differentiate%20nanoplastics%20and%20microplastics%2C%20even%20when%20they%20are%20coated%20in%20other%20particles%2C%20providing%20a%20comprehensive%20understanding%20of%20plastic%20pollution%20in%20aquatic%20ecosystems%2C%22%20Ariya%20said.%0A%0AThis%20technology%20offers%20a%20practical%20tool%20for%20identifying%20and%20addressing%20pollution%20%22hotspots%22%20more%20effectively.%20Preliminary%20findings%20from%20Lake%20Ontario%20and%20the%20St.%20Lawrence%20River%20indicate%20AI-Assisted%20Nano-DIHM%20can%20identify%20micro-%20and%20nanoplastics%20within%20waterborne%20particles.%0A%0AThis%20pioneering%20technology%2C%20developed%20in%20collaboration%20with%20the%20National%20Research%20Council%20of%20Canada%2C%20represents%20a%20crucial%20breakthrough%20in%20environmental%20monitoring.

Detecting nanoplastics with cutting-edge tech

Japan%20deployed%20an%20upgraded%20Earth%20observation%20satellite%20for%20disaster%20response%20and%20security%20after%20it%20was%20launched%20on%20a%20new%20flagship%20H3%20rocket%20Monday.%0A%0AThe%20H3%20No.%203%20rocket%20lifted%20off%20from%20the%20Tanegashima%20Space%20Center%20on%20a%20southwestern%20Japanese%20island%20and%20released%20its%20payload%20about%2016%20minutes%20later%20as%20planned%2C%20the%20Japan%20Aerospace%20Exploration%20Agency%2C%20or%20JAXA%2C%20said%20during%20a%20livestream.%0A%0AThe%20Advanced%20Land%20Observation%20Satellite%2C%20or%20ALOS-4%2C%20is%20tasked%20primarily%20with%20Earth%20observation%20and%20data%20collection%20for%20disaster%20response%20and%20mapmaking.%20It's%20also%20capable%20of%20monitoring%20military%20activity%2C%20such%20as%20missile%20launches%2C%20with%20an%20infrared%20sensor%20developed%20by%20the%20Defense%20Ministry.%0A%0AThe%20rocket%20appeared%20to%20fly%20as%20planned%2C%20and%20JAXA%20is%20expected%20to%20give%20further%20details%20at%20a%20news%20conference%20later%20Monday.%20The%20launch%20was%20initially%20planned%20for%20Sunday%20but%20was%20delayed%20due%20to%20bad%20weather%20at%20the%20launch%20site.%0A%0AThe%20ALOS-4%20is%20a%20successor%20to%20the%20current%20ALOS-2%20and%20can%20observe%20a%20much%20wider%20area.%20Japan%20will%20operate%20both%20for%20the%20time%20being.%0A%0AThe%20launch%20was%20the%20third%20of%20the%20H3%20system%2C%20after%20the%20successful%20one%20on%20Feb%2017.%20and%20the%20shocking%20failed%20debut%20flight%20a%20year%20earlier%20when%20the%20rocket%20had%20to%20be%20destroyed%20with%20its%20payload%E2%80%94a%20satellite%20that%20was%20supposed%20to%20be%20the%20ALOS-3.%0A%0AJapan%20sees%20a%20stable%2C%20commercially%20competitive%20space%20transport%20capability%20as%20key%20to%20its%20space%20program%20and%20national%20security.%0A%0AJAXA%20and%20its%20main%20contractor%20Mitsubishi%20Heavy%20Industries%20have%20been%20developing%20the%20H3%20launch%20system%20as%20a%20successor%20to%20its%20current%20mainstay%2C%20H-2A%2C%20which%20is%20set%20to%20retire%20after%20two%20more%20flights.%20MHI%20will%20eventually%20take%20over%20H3%20production%20and%20launches%20from%20JAXA%20and%20hopes%20to%20make%20it%20commercially%20viable%20by%20cutting%20the%20launch%20cost%20to%20about%20half%20of%20the%20H-2A.

Japan launches advanced earth satellite

Beneath%20the%20ocean%E2%80%99s%20mysterious%20depths%2C%20a%20revolution%20in%20exploration%20is%20brewing.%20Researchers%20at%20California%20Institute%20of%20Technology%20(Caltech)%20are%20pioneering%20a%20unique%20approach%3A%20biohybrid%20jellyfish%20robots.%0A%0AThe%20robots%20combine%20living%20jellyfish%20with%20tiny%20electronics%2C%20transforming%20them%20into%20data-gathering%20machines.%20Consequently%2C%20this%20project%20unlocks%20the%20potential%20to%20explore%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20final%20frontier%2C%20with%20profound%20implications%20for%20climate%20research%20and%20beyond.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EBridging%20the%20gap%3A%20Biohybrid%20jellyfish%20robots%20as%20aquatic%20explorers%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AThis%20initiative%2C%20detailed%20in%20a%20study%20published%20in%20the%20journal%20Bioinspiration%20%26%20Biomimetics%2C%20introduces%20the%20creation%20of%20biohybrid%20robotic%20jellyfish.%0A%0AThese%20are%20not%20your%20average%20sea%20creatures.%20They%20are%20essentially%20ocean-going%20cyborgs%2C%20enhanced%20with%20electronics%20to%20improve%20their%20swimming%20capabilities%20and%20equipped%20with%20a%20prosthetic%20%E2%80%9Chat%E2%80%9D%20that%20not%20only%20streamlines%20their%20movement%20but%20also%20allows%20them%20to%20carry%20small%20payloads.%0A%0AJohn%20Dabiri%2C%20the%20Centennial%20Professor%20of%20Aeronautics%20and%20Mechanical%20Engineering%20at%20Caltech%20and%20the%20brain%20behind%20this%20research%2C%20envisions%20these%20biohybrid%20jellyfish%20as%20innovative%20data-gatherers.%0A%0ATheir%20mission%20is%20to%20traverse%20the%20oceans%2C%20collecting%20crucial%20information%20on%20temperature%2C%20salinity%2C%20and%20oxygen%20levels%20%E2%80%94%20all%20vital%20data%20that%20sheds%20light%20on%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20changing%20climate.%0A%0ADabiri%20articulates%20the%20critical%20yet%20underexplored%20role%20of%20the%20ocean%20in%20determining%20our%20climate%E2%80%99s%20present%20and%20future%2C%20saying%2C%20%E2%80%9CIt%E2%80%99s%20well%20known%20that%20the%20ocean%20is%20critical%20for%20determining%20our%20present%20and%20future%20climate%20on%20land%2C%20and%20yet%2C%20we%20still%20know%20surprisingly%20little%20about%20the%20ocean%2C%20especially%20away%20from%20the%20surface.%0A%0A%E2%80%9COur%20goal%20is%20to%20finally%20move%20that%20needle%20by%20taking%20an%20unconventional%20approach%20inspired%20by%20one%20of%20the%20few%20animals%20that%20already%20successfully%20explores%20the%20entire%20ocean%2C%E2%80%9D%20Dabiri%20explains.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EFrom%20mechanical%20to%20biohybrid%20robot%20solutions%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AThe%20journey%20to%20biohybrid%20robotic%20jellyfish%20began%20with%20Dabiri%E2%80%99s%20attempts%20to%20mimic%20the%20swimming%20mechanism%20of%20jellyfish%20through%20mechanical%20robots.%0A%0ADespite%20achieving%20a%20robot%20that%20swam%20like%20its%20biological%20counterpart%2C%20it%20fell%20short%20in%20efficiency%20compared%20to%20a%20real%20jellyfish.%20This%20realization%20steered%20the%20focus%20towards%20enhancing%20jellyfish%20themselves%2C%20leveraging%20their%20natural%20prowess%20in%20ocean%20exploration.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CJellyfish%20are%20the%20original%20ocean%20explorers%2C%20reaching%20its%20deepest%20corners%20and%20thriving%20just%20as%20well%20in%20tropical%20or%20polar%20waters%2C%E2%80%9D%20Dabiri%20says.%20%E2%80%9CSince%20they%20don%E2%80%99t%20have%20a%20brain%20or%20the%20ability%20to%20sense%20pain%2C%20we%E2%80%99ve%20been%20able%20to%20collaborate%20with%20bioethicists%20to%20develop%20this%20biohybrid%20robotic%20application%20in%20a%20way%20that%E2%80%99s%20ethically%20principled.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%3Cb%3EScience%20behind%20biohybrid%20jellyfish%20robots%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AIn%20a%20significant%20advancement%2C%20Dabiri%E2%80%99s%20team%20previously%20developed%20an%20electronic%20pacemaker%20to%20control%20the%20jellyfish%E2%80%99s%20swimming%20speed%2C%20discovering%20that%20faster%20swimming%20rates%20improved%20their%20efficiency.%0A%0ABuilding%20on%20this%2C%20the%20team%20introduced%20a%20novel%20addition%3A%20forebodies%2C%20or%20prosthetic%20%E2%80%9Chats%2C%E2%80%9D%20designed%20by%20graduate%20student%20Simon%20Anuszczyk.%0A%0AThese%20devices%20not%20only%20streamline%20the%20jellyfish%2C%20reducing%20drag%20and%20enhancing%20performance%2C%20but%20also%20serve%20as%20carriers%20for%20sensors%20and%20electronics.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CMuch%20like%20the%20pointed%20end%20of%20an%20arrow%2C%20we%20designed%203D-printed%20forebodies%20to%20streamline%20the%20bell%20of%20the%20jellyfish%20robot%2C%20reduce%20drag%2C%20and%20increase%20swimming%20performance%2C%E2%80%9D%20Anuszczyk%20says.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CAt%20the%20same%20time%2C%20we%20experimented%20with%203D%20printing%20until%20we%20were%20able%20to%20carefully%20balance%20the%20buoyancy%20and%20keep%20the%20jellyfish%20swimming%20vertically.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%3Cb%3ETesting%20the%20jellyfish%20robots%20with%20deep%20vertical%20dives%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0ATo%20evaluate%20the%20augmented%20jellyfish%E2%80%99s%20capabi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ns%2C%20biohybrid%20robots%20are%20also%20making%20strides%20in%20environmental%20conservation%20and%20repair.%20Equipped%20with%20living%20cells%20or%20organisms%2C%20these%20robots%20can%20monitor%20pollutants%2C%20assess%20ecosystems%2C%20and%20even%0A%0AAn%20example%20of%20this%20concept%20is%20seen%20in%20the%20biohybrid%20jellyfish%20robots%20developed%20by%20Caltech%2C%20as%20discussed%20previously%20in%20this%20article.%20Their%20ability%20to%20adapt%20and%20respond%20to%20changing%20conditions%20makes%20them%20particularly%20valuable%20for%20tasks%20in%20challenging%20or%20hazardous%20environments.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EChallenges%20and%20ethical%20considerations%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0ADespite%20its%20potential%2C%20the%20development%20of%20biohybrid%20robotics%20faces%20several%20challenges.%20Integrating%20living%20components%20with%20non-living%20systems%20requires%20careful%20consideration%20of%20biocompatibility%2C%20longevity%2C%20and%20ethical%20implications.%0A%0AEnsuring%20the%20survival%20and%20functionality%20of%20biological%20materials%20outside%20their%20natural%20environment%20poses%20significant%20technical%20hurdles.%20Moreover%2C%20the%20use%20of%20living%20organisms%20in%20robotics%20raises%20ethical%20questions%20regarding%20their%20welfare%20and%20the%20potential%20for%20unintended%20ecological%20impacts.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EFuture%20of%20biohybrid%20robotics%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AAs%20research%20in%20biohybrid%20robotics%20advances%2C%20the%20potential%20for%20innovative%20applications%20continues%20to%20expand.%20Future%20developments%20may%20lead%20to%20more%20sophisticated%20bio-robots%20capable%20of%20autonomous%20decision-making%2C%20learning%2C%20and%20evolution%2C%20blurring%20the%20lines%20between%20biological%20life%20and%20artificial%20machines.%0A%0AWith%20ongoing%20advancements%20in%20materials%20science%2C%20biotechnology%2C%20and%20robotics%2C%20biohybrid%20systems%20are%20poised%20to%20play%20a%20crucial%20role%20in%20the%20next%20generation%20of%20intelligent%20machines.%0A%0AIn%20summary%2C%20biohybrid%20robotics%20represents%20a%20fascinating%20convergence%20of%20biology%20and%20technology%2C%20offering%20the%20promise%20of%20machines%20that%20are%20more%20adaptable%2C%20efficient%2C%20and%20capable%20of%20interacting%20with%20the%20natural%20world%20in%20unprecedented%20ways.%0A%0AAs%20researchers%20continue%20to%20explore%20this%20promising%20field%2C%20the%20boundaries%20between%20life%20and%20machine%20are%20set%20to%20become%20increasingly%20indistinct%2C%20heralding%20a%20new%20era%20of%20robotic%20innovation.

Building bionic jellyfish for ocean exploration

Scientists%20have%20built%20a%20highly%20accurate%20digital%20simulation%20of%20planet%20Earth%20to%20provide%20reliable%20information%20about%20extreme%20weather%20and%20climate%20change.%0A%0AThis%20AI-powered%20%E2%80%9Cdigital%20twin%E2%80%9D%20virtually%20simulates%20the%20interaction%20between%20natural%20phenomena%20and%20human%20activities%20to%20predict%20their%20effect%20on%20things%20like%20water%2C%20food%20and%20energy%20systems.%0A%0AIn%20the%20past%2C%20climate%20and%20weather%20predictions%20have%20either%20focused%20on%20local%20regions%20or%20larger%20global%20systems.%20The%20new%20project%2C%20known%20as%20Destination%20Earth%20(DestinE)%2C%20brings%20all%20of%20this%20information%20together%20alongside%20human%20actions%20to%20%E2%80%9Cdepict%20the%20complex%20processes%20of%20the%20entire%20Earth%20system%E2%80%9D.%0A%0AThe%20project%2C%20activated%20by%20the%20European%20Commission%20on%2010%20June%20with%20over%20%E2%82%AC315%20million%20in%20funding%20from%20the%20Digital%20Europe%20programme%2C%20hopes%20to%20provide%20a%20method%20of%20testing%20scenarios%20that%20will%20help%20policymakers%20and%20scientists%20to%20prepare%20for%20the%20future.%0A%0A%22The%20launch%20of%20the%20initial%20Destination%20Earth%20(DestinE)%20is%20a%20true%20game%20changer%20in%20our%20fight%20against%20climate%20change%2C%22%20says%20Margrethe%20Vestager%2C%20Executive%20Vice-President%20for%20a%20Europe%20Fit%20for%20the%20Digital%20Age.%20%22It%20means%20that%20we%20can%20observe%20environmental%20challenges%20which%20can%20help%20us%20predict%20future%20scenarios%20-%20like%20we%20have%20never%20done%20before...%20Today%2C%20the%20future%20is%20literally%20at%20our%20fingertips.%22%0A%0ADestinE%20currently%20consists%20of%20two%20models%20-%20one%20focusing%20on%20climate%20change%20adaptation%20and%20the%20other%20on%20weather-induced%20extremes%20-%20which%20draw%20on%20data%20from%20sources%20like%20Copernicus.%0A%0AIt%20is%20expected%20to%20continually%20evolve%20over%20the%20coming%20years%2C%20completing%20a%20full%20digital%20replica%20of%20the%20Earth%20by%202030.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EWhy%20do%20we%20need%20a%20'digital%20twin'%20of%20Earth%3F%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AWith%20our%20weather%20becoming%20more%20severe%2C%20there%20is%20a%20growing%20need%20to%20estimate%20the%20impacts%20of%20the%20climate%20crisis.%20Over%20two%20million%20people%20died%20in%20extreme%20weather-related%20events%20between%201970%20and%202021%2C%20according%20to%20the%20WMO.%0A%0AExtreme%20heatwaves%20in%202003%20and%202010%20accounted%20for%2080%20per%20cent%20of%20weather-related%20deaths%20in%20Europe%20during%20this%20period%20-%20and%20climate%20disasters%20are%20getting%20worse%2C%20with%20May%20breaking%20the%20global%20temperature%20record%20for%20the%2012th%20month%20in%20a%20row.%0A%0ADestinE%20will%20be%20used%20to%20help%20Europe%20respond%20to%20natural%20disasters%20more%20effectively%2C%20adapt%20to%20climate%20change%2C%20and%20assess%20the%20potential%20socioeconomic%20and%20policy%20impacts%20of%20such%20events.%0A%0AHypothetical%20scenarios%20such%20as%20building%20wind%20farms%20across%20Europe%20and%20information%20on%20where%20to%20plant%20crops%20as%20our%20climate%20changes%20could%20be%20provided%20by%20the%20model.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIf%20you%20are%20planning%20a%20two-metre%20high%20dike%20in%20The%20Netherlands%2C%20for%20example%2C%20I%20can%20run%20through%20the%20data%20in%20my%20digital%20twin%20and%20check%20whether%20the%20dike%20will%20in%20all%20likelihood%20still%20protect%20against%20expected%20extreme%20events%20in%202050%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Peter%20Bauer%2C%20co-initiator%20of%20Project%20Destination%20Earth%2C%20when%20the%20project%20was%20initially%20announced%20in%202021.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EHow%20will%20a%20%E2%80%98digital%20twin%E2%80%99%20help%20Europe%20reach%20its%20climate%20targets%3F%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AFor%20Destination%20Earth%2C%20the%20European%20Commission%20has%20partnered%20with%20the%20European%20Centre%20for%20Medium-Range%20Weather%20Forecasts%20(ECMWF)%2C%20the%20European%20Space%20Agency%20(ESA)%20and%20the%20European%20Organisation%20for%20the%20Exploitation%20of%20Meteorological%20Satellites%20(EUMETSAT).%0A%0A%0AThe%20European%20Union%20is%20making%20a%20big%20investment%20in%20green%20technology%20as%20part%20of%20the%20bloc%E2%80%99s%20plan%20to%20become%20the%20first%20climate%20neutral%20continent%20by%202050.%20The%20EU%20hopes%20this%20project%20will%20enable%20more%20sustainable%20development%20and%20support%20environmental%20policies%20in%20the%20coming%20years.%0A%0A%3Cb%3ESupercomputers%20used%20to%20power%20the%20simulation%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0ABut%20the%20climate%20impact%20of%20the%20simulation%20itself%20could%20be%20significant.%20In%20a%202021%20study%2C%20researchers%20estimated%20that%20they%20would%20need%20a%20supercomputer%20with%2020%2C000%20graphics%20processors%20consuming%20around%2020MW%20of%20power%20to%20create%20the%20highly%20complex%20model.%0A%0ADestinE%20relies%20on%20Europe's%20High-performance%20computers%20(EuroHPC)%2C%20including%20the%20LUMI%20supercomputer%20in%20Kajaani%2C%20Finland.%0A%0AAlthough%20it%20is%20unclear%20how%20the%20system%20will%20be%20powered%2C%20computing%20experts%20previously%20stressed%20the%20importance%20of%20carbon-neutral%20energy%20in%20its%20development.%20Finland%20gains%20almost%20half%20of%20its%20energy%20from%20renewable%20sources%2C%20coming%20second%20only%20to%20Sweden%20in%20the%20EU.%0A%0ABy%202027%2C%20the%20team%20aims%20to%20have%20additional%20digital%20twins%20and%20services%20up%20and%20running.%20The%20data%20from%20these%20simulations%20will%20then%20be%20combined%20to%20create%20%E2%80%9Ca%20full%20digital%20twin%20of%20Earth%E2%80%9D%20by%20the%20end%20of%20the%20decade.

Scientists are developing a digital twin of Earth

A%20tiny%20NASA%20satellite%20was%20launched%20Saturday%20from%20New%20Zealand%20with%20the%20mission%20of%20improving%20climate%20change%20prediction%20by%20measuring%20heat%20escaping%20from%20Earth's%20poles%20for%20the%20first%20time.%0A%0A%22This%20new%20information%E2%80%94and%20we've%20never%20had%20it%20before%E2%80%94will%20improve%20our%20ability%20to%20model%20what's%20happening%20in%20the%20poles%2C%20what's%20happening%20in%20climate%2C%22%20NASA's%20earth%20sciences%20research%20director%20Karen%20St.%20Germain%20told%20a%20recent%20news%20conference.%0A%0AThe%20satellite%2C%20which%20is%20the%20size%20of%20a%20shoe%20box%2C%20was%20launched%20by%20an%20Electron%20rocket%2C%20built%20by%20a%20company%20called%20Rocket%20Lab%2C%20which%20lifted%20off%20from%20Mahia%20in%20the%20north%20of%20New%20Zealand.%20The%20overall%20mission%20is%20called%20PREFIRE.%0A%0AThe%20company%20is%20later%20to%20launch%20a%20similar%20satellite%20of%20its%20own.%0A%0AThey%20will%20serve%20to%20take%20infrared%20measurements%20far%20above%20the%20Arctic%20and%20Antarctic%20so%20as%20to%20measure%20directly%20the%20heat%20that%20the%20poles%20release%20into%20space.%0A%0A%22This%20is%20critical%20because%20it%20actually%20helps%20to%20balance%20the%20excess%20heat%20that's%20received%20in%20the%20tropical%20regions%20and%20really%20regulate%20the%20earth's%20temperature%2C%22%20said%20Tristan%20L'Ecuyer%2C%20a%20mission%20researcher%20affiliated%20with%20the%20University%20of%20Wisconsin%2C%20Madison.%0A%0A%22And%20the%20process%20of%20getting%20the%20heat%20from%20the%20tropical%20regions%20to%20the%20polar%20regions%20is%20actually%20what%20drives%20all%20of%20our%20weather%20around%20the%20planet%2C%22%20he%20added.%0A%0AWith%20PREFIRE%2C%20NASA%20aims%20to%20understand%20how%20clouds%2C%20humidity%20or%20the%20melting%20of%20ice%20into%20water%20affects%20this%20heat%20loss%20from%20the%20poles.%0A%0AUntil%20now%20the%20models%20that%20climate%20change%20scientists%20used%20to%20gauge%20heat%20loss%20were%20based%20on%20theories%20rather%20than%20real%20observations%2C%20said%20L'Ecuyer.%0A%0A%22Hopefully%20we'll%20be%20able%20to%20improve%20our%20ability%20to%20simulate%20what%20sea%20level%20rise%20might%20look%20like%20in%20the%20future%20and%20also%20how%20the%20polar%20climate%20change%20is%20going%20to%20affect%20the%20weather%20systems%20around%20the%20planet%2C%22%20he%20added.%0A%0ASmall%20satellites%20like%20this%20one%20are%20a%20low-cost%20way%20to%20answer%20very%20specific%20scientific%20questions%2C%20said%20St.%20Germain.%0A%0ALarger%20satellites%20can%20be%20thought%20of%20as%20%22generalists%22%20and%20the%20small%20ones%20as%20%22specialists%2C%22%20she%20added.%0A%0A%22NASA%20needs%20both%2C%22%20said%20St.%20Germain.

NASA launches climate change satellite

State-of-the-art%20printed%20flexible%20solar%20cell%20technology%20developed%20by%20Australia's%20national%20science%20agency%2C%20CSIRO%2C%20was%20successfully%20launched%20into%20space%20today%20(March%205)%20aboard%20Australia's%20largest%20private%20satellite%2C%20Optimus-1%2C%20on%20Space%20X's%20Transporter-10%20mission.%0A%0ACSIRO%20is%20exploring%20the%20potential%20of%20printed%20flexible%20solar%20cells%20as%20a%20reliable%20energy%20source%20for%20future%20space%20endeavors%2C%20in%20collaboration%20with%20Australian%20space%20transportation%20provider%2C%20Space%20Machines%20Company.%0A%0ACSIRO%20Space%20Program%20Director%20Dr.%20Kimberley%20Clayfield%20said%20a%20major%20challenge%20in%20the%20development%20of%20spacecraft%20is%20low-mass%2C%20high-efficiency%20power%20systems.%0A%0A%22CSIRO's%20printed%20flexible%20solar%20cells%20could%20provide%20a%20reliable%2C%20lightweight%20energy%20solution%20for%20future%20space%20operations%20and%20exploration%2C%22%20Dr.%20Clayfield%20said.%0A%0A%22If%20the%20space%20flight%20test%20reveals%20similar%20performance%20as%20we've%20shown%20in%20the%20lab%2C%20this%20technology%20offers%20significant%20advantages%20over%20traditional%20silicon-based%20solar.%0A%0A%22Yet%20another%20example%20of%20CSIRO's%20terrestrial%20expertise%20being%20applied%20to%20solve%20challenges%20in%20the%20space%20domain.%22%0A%0ARajat%20Kulshrestha%2C%20Space%20Machines%20Company%20CEO%2C%20said%20the%20completion%20of%20Optimus%20marks%20a%20major%20milestone%20for%20Space%20Machines%20Company.%0A%0A%22Through%20perseverance%20and%20teamwork%2C%20our%20engineers%20and%20scientists%2C%20alongside%20partners%20like%20CSIRO%2C%20have%20created%20something%20truly%20ground-breaking%2C%22%20Kulshrestha%20said.%0A%0A%22CSIRO's%20innovative%20flexible%20solar%20cells%20will%20transform%20spacecraft%20power%20systems%20and%20enable%20new%20possibilities%20for%20future%20space%20missions.%0A%0A%22We're%20thrilled%20to%20integrate%20this%20ground-breaking%20technology%20into%20Optimus.%20This%20is%20just%20the%20beginning%2C%20and%20I'm%20excited%20to%20see%20what%20the%20future%20holds%20as%20we%20continue%20to%20innovate.%22%0A%0ADr.%20Chesman%20said%20in%20situ%20testing%20would%20secure%20information%20on%20the%20performance%20of%20the%20perovskite%20cells%20as%20they%20orbit%20the%20planet.%0A%0A%22We%20will%20get%20information%20on%20how%20the%20panels%20are%20holding%20up%20under%20the%20extreme%20conditions%20in%20space%20and%20data%20on%20the%20efficiency%20they%20achieve%2C%22%20Chesman%20said.%0A%0AChesman%20said%20the%20team%20had%20already%20undertaken%20pioneering%20research%20on%20the%20likely%20performance%20of%20the%20cells%20in%20a%20space%20environment.%0A%0A%22Based%20on%20our%20research%20we%20expect%20our%20printed%20flexible%20solar%20cells%20will%20stand%20up%20to%20the%20effects%20of%20cosmic%20electron%20and%20gamma%20radiation%20which%20can%20compromise%20the%20performance%20and%20integrity%20of%20traditional%20solar%20cells%2C%22%20Chesman%20said.%0A%0A%22We%20are%20also%20confident%20these%20cells%20will%20outperform%20traditional%20cells%20in%20cases%20where%20sunlight%20hits%20them%20at%20non-optimal%20angles.%0A%0A%22The%20feedback%20we%20receive%20from%20the%20satellite%20will%20provide%20valuable%20insights%20into%20the%20practical%20application%20of%20our%20technology%20and%20inform%20future%20technology%20development.%22%0A%0AChesman%20highlighted%20the%20unique%20opportunity%20the%20solar%20technology%20could%20present%20for%20Australian%20manufacturing.%0A%0A%22This%20is%20a%20great%20opportunity%20for%20Australian%20technology%20to%20contribute%20to%20global%20space%20exploration.%20We%20are%20eager%20to%20collaborate%20with%20potential%20partners%20to%20explore%20this%20further%2C%22%20he%20said.%0A%0ACSIRO%20research%20exploring%20the%20potential%20of%20printed%20flexible%20solar%20cells%20in%20space%20is%20available%20in%20a%20recent%20paper%20published%20in%20ACS%20Applied%20Energy%20Materials.%0A%0ACSIRO%20Renewable%20Energy%20Systems%20Group%20Leader%20Dr.%20Anthony%20Chesman%20said%20eight%20mini-modules%20of%20CSIROs%20Australian-made%20printed%20flexible%20solar%20cells%20were%20attached%20to%20the%20surface%20of%20Space%20Machine%20Company's%20Optimus-1%20satellite.%0A%0A%22CSIRO%20researchers%20have%20been%20working%20for%20many%20years%20to%20improve%20our%20solar%20cell%20performance%20using%20perovskite%E2%80%94an%20advanced%20material%20that%20is%20highly%20efficient%20in%20converting%20sunlight%20into%20energy%2C%22%20Dr.%20Chesman%20said.

CSIRO flexible solar cells launched into space

NASA%E2%80%99s%20satellite%20mission%20to%20study%20ocean%20health%2C%20air%20quality%2C%20and%20the%20effects%20of%20a%20changing%20climate%20for%20the%20benefit%20of%20humanity%20launched%20successfully%20into%20orbit%20at%201%3A33%20a.m.%20EST%20Thursday.%0A%0AKnown%20as%20PACE%2C%20the%20Plankton%2C%20Aerosol%2C%20Climate%2C%20ocean%20Ecosystem%20satellite%2C%20launched%20aboard%20a%20SpaceX%20Falcon%209%20rocket%20from%20Space%20Launch%20Complex%2040%20at%20Cape%20Canaveral%20Space%20Force%20Station%20in%20Florida.%20NASA%20confirmed%20signal%20acquisition%20from%20the%20satellite%20about%20five%20minutes%20after%20launch%2C%20and%20the%20spacecraft%20is%20performing%20as%20expected.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CCongratulations%20to%20the%20PACE%20team%20on%20a%20successful%20launch.%20With%20this%20new%20addition%20to%20NASA%E2%80%99s%20fleet%20of%20Earth-observing%20satellites%2C%20PACE%20will%20help%20us%20learn%2C%20like%20never%20before%2C%20how%20particles%20in%20our%20atmosphere%20and%20our%20oceans%20can%20identify%20key%20factors%20impacting%20global%20warming%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20NASA%20Administrator%20Bill%20Nelson.%20%E2%80%9CMissions%20like%20this%20are%20supporting%20the%20Biden-Harris%20Administration%E2%80%99s%20climate%20agenda%20and%20helping%20us%20answer%20urgent%20questions%20about%20our%20changing%20climate.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AFrom%20hundreds%20of%20miles%20above%20Earth%2C%20the%20PACE%20mission%20will%20study%20the%20impact%20of%20tiny%2C%20often%20invisible%20things%3A%20microscopic%20life%20in%20water%20and%20microscopic%20particles%20in%20the%20air.%0A%0AThe%20satellite%E2%80%99s%20hyperspectral%20ocean%20color%20instrument%20will%20allow%20researchers%20to%20measure%20oceans%20and%20other%20waterbodies%20across%20a%20spectrum%20of%20ultraviolet%2C%20visible%2C%20and%20near-infrared%20light.%20This%20will%20enable%20scientists%20to%20track%20the%20distribution%20of%20phytoplankton%20and%20%E2%80%93%20for%20the%20first%20time%20from%20space%20%E2%80%93%20identify%20which%20communities%20of%20these%20organisms%20are%20present%20on%20daily%2C%20global%20scales.%20Scientists%20and%20coastal%20resource%20managers%20can%20use%20the%20data%20to%20help%20forecast%20the%20health%20of%20fisheries%2C%20track%20harmful%20algal%20blooms%2C%20and%20identify%20changes%20in%20the%20marine%20environment.%0A%0AThe%20spacecraft%20also%20carries%20two%20polarimeter%20instruments%2C%20Hyper-Angular%20Rainbow%20Polarimeter%20%232%20and%20Spectro-polarimeter%20for%20Planetary%20Exploration.%20These%20will%20detect%20how%20sunlight%20interacts%20with%20particles%20in%20the%20atmosphere%2C%20giving%20researchers%20new%20information%20on%20atmospheric%20aerosols%20and%20cloud%20properties%2C%20as%20well%20as%20air%20quality%20at%20local%2C%20regional%2C%20and%20global%20scales.%0A%0AWith%20the%20combination%20of%20the%20instrument%20and%20the%20polarimeters%2C%20PACE%20will%20provide%20insights%20into%20the%20interactions%20of%20the%20ocean%20and%20atmosphere%2C%20and%20how%20a%20changing%20climate%20affects%20these%20interactions.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CObservations%20and%20scientific%20research%20from%20PACE%20will%20profoundly%20advance%20our%20knowledge%20of%20the%20ocean%E2%80%99s%20role%20in%20the%20climate%20cycle%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Karen%20St.%20Germain%2C%20director%2C%20Earth%20Science%20Division%2C%20Science%20Mission%20Directorate%2C%20at%20NASA%20Headquarters%20in%20Washington.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20value%20of%20PACE%20data%20skyrockets%20when%20we%20combine%20it%20with%20data%20and%20science%20from%20our%20Surface%20Water%20and%20Ocean%20Topography%20mission%20%E2%80%93%20ushering%20in%20a%20new%20era%20of%20ocean%20science.%20As%20an%20open-source%20science%20mission%20with%20early%20adopters%20ready%20to%20use%20its%20research%20and%20data%2C%20PACE%20will%20accelerate%20our%20understanding%20of%20the%20Earth%20system%20and%20help%20NASA%20deliver%20actionable%20science%2C%20data%2C%20and%20practical%20applications%20to%20help%20our%20coastal%20communities%20and%20industries%20address%20rapidly%20evolving%20challenges.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIt%E2%80%99s%20been%20an%20honor%20to%20work%20with%20the%20PACE%20team%20and%20witness%20firsthand%20their%20dedication%20and%20tenacity%20in%20overcoming%20challenges%2C%20including%20the%20global%20pandemic%2C%20to%20make%20this%20observatory%20a%20reality%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Marjorie%20Haskell%2C%20PACE%20program%20executive%20at%20NASA%20Headquarters.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20passion%20and%20teamwork%20are%20matched%20only%20by%20the%20excitement%20of%20the%20science%20community%20for%20the%20data%20this%20new%20satellite%20will%20provide.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AEarth%E2%80%99s%20oceans%20are%20responding%20in%20many%20ways%20to%20climate%20change%20%E2%80%93%20from%20sea%20level%20rise%20to%20marine%20heat%20waves%20to%20a%20loss%20of%20biodiversity.%20With%20PACE%2C%20researchers%20will%20be%20able%20to%20study%20climate%20change%E2%80%99s%20effects%20on%20phytoplankton%2C%20which%20play%20a%20key%20role%20in%20the%20global%20carbon%20cycle%20by%20absorbing%20carbon%20dioxide%20from%20the%20atmosphere%20and%20converting%20it%20into%20their%20cellular%20material.%20These%20tiny%20organisms%20drive%20larger%20aquatic%20and%20global%20ecosystems%20that%20provide%20critical%20resources%20for%20food%20security%2C%20recreation%2C%20and%20the%20economy.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CAfter%2020%20years%20of%20thinking%20about%20this%20mission%2C%20it%E2%80%99s%20exhilarating%20to%20watch%20it%20finally%20realized%20and%20to%20witness%20its%20launch.%20I%20couldn%E2%80%99t%20be%20prouder%20or%20more%20appreciative%20of%20our%20PACE%20team%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Jeremy%20Werdell%2C%20PACE%20project%20scientist%20at%20NASA%E2%80%99s%20Goddard%20Space%20Flight%20Center%20in%20Greenbelt%2C%20Maryland.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20opportunities%20PACE%20will%20offer%20are%20so%20exciting%2C%20and%20we%E2%80%99re%20going%20to%20be%20able%20to%20use%20these%20incredible%20technologies%20in%20ways%20we%20haven%E2%80%99t%20yet%20anticipated.%20It%E2%80%99s%20truly%20a%20mission%20of%20discovery.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ANASA%E2%80%99s%20Launch%20Services%20Program%2C%20based%20at%20the%20agency%E2%80%99s%20Kennedy%20Space%20Center%20in%20Florida%2C%20managed%20the%20launch%20services%20for%20the%20mission.%20The%20PACE%20mission%20is%20managed%20by%20NASA%20Goddard%2C%20which%20also%20built%20and%20tested%20the%20spacecraft%20and%20the%20ocean%20color%20instrument.%20The%20Hyper-Angular%20Rainbow%20Polarimeter%20%232%20was%20designed%20and%20built%20by%20the%20University%20of%20Maryland%2C%20Baltimore%20County%2C%20and%20the%20Spectro-polarimeter%20for%20Planetary%20Exploration%20was%20developed%20and%20built%20by%20a%20Dutch%20consortium%20led%20by%20Netherlands%20Institute%20for%20Space%20Research%2C%20Airbus%20Defence%2C%20and%20Space%20Netherlands.

NASA Launches New Climate Mission to Study Ocean

NASA%20launched%20two%20small%20satellites%20designed%20to%20track%20tropical%20cyclones%20hour%20by%20hour%20from%20a%20base%20in%20New%20Zealand%20on%20Monday%2C%20in%20a%20project%20that%20could%20improve%20weather%20predictions%20on%20devastating%20storms.%0A%0AThe%20new%20storm%20trackers%2C%20sent%20into%20orbit%20on%20a%20rocket%20built%20by%20US%20company%20Rocket%20Lab%2C%20can%20fly%20over%20hurricanes%20(or%20typhoons%20in%20the%20Pacific)%20every%20hour%2C%20compared%20to%20every%20six%20hours%20with%20current%20satellites.%0A%0AResearchers%20will%20be%20able%20to%20see%20storms%20evolve%20on%20an%20hourly%20basis%2C%20said%20NASA%20scientist%20Will%20McCarty%20at%20a%20press%20conference%20for%20the%20first%20launch%20of%20the%20TROPICS%20mission.%0A%0A%22We%20still%20need%20the%20large%20satellites%2C%22%20he%20added.%20%22What%20we%20get%20from%20this%20is%20the%20ability%20to%20add%20more%20information%20to%20the%20flagship%20satellites%20that%20we%20already%20have.%22%0A%0AA%20second%20Rocket%20Lab-built%20vessel%20is%20due%20to%20launch%20in%20about%20two%20weeks%20carrying%20two%20more%20satellites%20to%20complete%20a%20small%20constellation%20of%20four%20storm-tracking%20satellites.%0A%0AThe%20information%20gathered%20on%20rainfall%2C%20temperature%20and%20humidity%20could%20help%20scientists%20determine%20where%20a%20hurricane%20will%20make%20landfall%20and%20how%20intense%20it%20will%20be%2C%20helping%20people%20living%20in%20coastal%20areas%20be%20better%20prepared%20for%20possible%20evacuations.%0A%0A%22Many%20operational%20organizations%20like%20the%20National%20Hurricane%20Center%20and%20the%20Joint%20Typhoon%20Warning%20Center%20and%20many%20others%20are%20ready%20to%20receive%20tropical%20imagery%20to%20help%20inform%20their%20forecasters%2C%22%20said%20Ben%20Kim%2C%20a%20program%20executive%20at%20NASA.%0A%0AIn%20the%20long%20term%2C%20a%20better%20understanding%20of%20the%20formation%20and%20evolution%20of%20these%20storms%20could%20help%20improve%20climate%20models.%0A%0AThe%20constellation%20was%20originally%20intended%20to%20have%20six%20satellites%2C%20not%20four%2C%20but%20the%20first%20two%20were%20lost%20when%20a%20US%20Astra%20rocket%20malfunctioned%20shortly%20after%20lift-off%20last%20year.%0A%0AHurricanes%2C%20or%20typhoons%2C%20are%20becoming%20more%20powerful%20as%20the%20ocean%20surface%20warms%2C%20scientists%20say.%0A%0AHurricane%20Ian%2C%20which%20devastated%20Florida%20in%202022%2C%20killed%20dozens%20of%20people%20and%20caused%20more%20than%20%24100%20billion%20in%20damage%2C%20making%20it%20by%20far%20the%20world's%20most%20expensive%20weather%20disaster%20of%20the%20year.

NASA launches satellites to track hurricanes

A%20SpaceX%20Falcon%209%20rocket%20successfully%20launched%20from%20Florida%20on%20Friday%2C%20carrying%20a%20new%20NASA%20device%20that%20can%20track%20air%20pollution%20over%20North%20America.%20The%20Tropospheric%20Emissions%20Monitoring%20of%20Pollution%20(TEMPO)%20instrument%20will%20allow%20scientists%20to%20monitor%20air%20pollutants%20and%20their%20emission%20sources%20from%20space%20more%20comprehensively%20than%20ever%20before%2C%20down%20to%20the%20neighborhood%20level.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20Kevin%20Daugherty%2C%20NASA's%20TEMPO%20project%20manager%2C%20the%20instrument%20will%20measure%20pollution%20and%20air%20quality%20across%20greater%20North%20America%20on%20an%20hourly%20basis%20during%20the%20daytime%2C%20all%20the%20way%20%22from%20Puerto%20Rico%20up%20to%20the%20tar%20sands%20of%20Canada.%22%0A%0AThe%20data%20will%20be%20used%20by%20the%20US%20Environmental%20Protection%20Agency%20(EPA)%2C%20the%20National%20Oceanic%20and%20Atmospheric%20Administration%20(NOAA)%20and%20other%20agencies%20responsible%20for%20tackling%20atmospheric%20pollution.%0A%0AWhy%20is%20TEMPO%20so%20special%3F%0A%0A%22The%20TEMPO%20mission%20is%20about%20more%20than%20just%20studying%20pollution%20%E2%80%94%20it's%20about%20improving%20life%20on%20Earth%20for%20all%2C%22%20NASA%20Administrator%20Bill%20Nelson%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%0A%0A%22By%20monitoring%20the%20effects%20of%20everything%20from%20rush-hour%20traffic%20to%20pollution%20from%20forest%20fires%20and%20volcanoes%2C%20NASA%20data%20will%20help%20improve%20air%20quality%20across%20North%20America%20and%20protect%20our%20planet%2C%22%20he%20added.%0A%0AA%20unique%20feature%20of%20TEMPO%2C%20which%20is%20about%20the%20size%20of%20a%20washing%20machine%20and%20has%20been%20described%20as%20a%20chemistry%20laboratory%20in%20space%2C%20is%20that%20it%20will%20be%20hosted%20on%20an%20Intelsat%20communications%20satellite%20in%20geostationary%20orbit.%0A%0AExisting%20pollution-monitoring%20satellites%20are%20in%20low%20Earth%20orbit%2C%20which%20means%20they%20can%20only%20provide%20observations%20once%20a%20day%20at%20a%20fixed%20time.%0A%0ATEMPO%20will%20be%20able%20to%20measure%20atmospheric%20pollution%20down%20to%20a%20spatial%20resolution%20of%204%20square%20miles%20(10%20square%20kilometers)%2C%20or%20neighborhood%20level.%0A%0AWhat%20is%20geostationary%20orbit%3F%0A%0A%22Geostationary%20orbit%20is%20a%20common%20orbit%20for%20weather%20satellites%20and%20communications%20satellites%2C%20but%20an%20air%20quality%20instrument%20measuring%20gases%20hadn't%20been%20there%20yet%2C%22%20Caroline%20Nowlan%2C%20an%20atmospheric%20physicist%20at%20the%20Harvard%20%26%20Smithsonian%20Center%20for%20Astrophysics%2C%20explained%20to%20news%20agency%20AFP.%0A%0AIn%20a%20geostationary%20orbit%2022%2C236%20miles%20(35%2C786%20kilometers)%20above%20the%20equator%2C%20TEMPO%20will%20match%20the%20rotation%20of%20the%20Earth%2C%20meaning%20it%20will%20stay%20over%20the%20same%20location%20%E2%80%94%20North%20America%20%E2%80%94%20at%20all%20times.%0A%0A%22The%20great%20thing%20about%20TEMPO%20is%20that%20for%20the%20first%20time%20we'll%20be%20able%20to%20make%20hourly%20measurements%20over%20North%20America%2C%20so%20we'll%20be%20able%20to%20see%20what's%20happening%20over%20a%20whole%20day%20as%20long%20as%20the%20sun%20is%20up%2C%22%20Nowlan%20added.%0A%0ATEMPO%20will%20have%20multiple%20applications%20from%20measuring%20levels%20of%20various%20pollutants%20to%20providing%20air%20quality%20forecasts%20and%20helping%20the%20development%20of%20emission-control%20strategies.%0A%0AWhy%20is%20the%20mission%20important%3F%0A%0AMore%20than%2040%25%20of%20the%20US%20population%2C%20137%20million%20people%2C%20live%20in%20places%20with%20unhealthy%20levels%20of%20particle%20pollution%20or%20ozone%2C%20according%20to%20the%20American%20Lung%20Association.%20Air%20pollution%20is%20blamed%20for%20some%2060%2C000%20premature%20deaths%20a%20year.%0A%0AAmong%20the%20pollutants%20tracked%20by%20TEMPO%20will%20be%20nitrogen%20dioxide%2C%20produced%20from%20the%20combustion%20of%20fossil%20fuels%2C%20formaldehyde%20and%20ozone.%0A%0AThe%20data%20will%20be%20made%20available%20online%20for%20members%20of%20the%20public%20to%20monitor%20air%20quality%20information%20in%20their%20local%20area.%0A%0ADaugherty%20said%20TEMPO%20will%20power%20up%20at%20the%20end%20of%20May%20or%20in%20early%20June%20and%20begin%20producing%20data%20in%20October%2C%20although%20it%20will%20not%20be%20made%20available%20to%20the%20public%20until%20April%20of%20next%20year.%0A

NASA to launch air pollution-monitoring device

Among%20all%20the%20planets%20of%20our%20solar%20system%2C%20Earth%20turned%20out%20to%20be%20the%20lucky%20one%2C%20as%20water%20covers%20approximately%2071%25%20of%20its%20surface.%20Water%20is%20a%20key%20ingredient%20for%20life%20on%20Earth.%20It%20also%20influences%20the%20weather%20and%20climate%20dynamics%20of%20the%20planet.%20The%20vast%20majority%20of%20water%20remains%20way%20beyond%20the%20human%20eyes%2C%20thus%20making%20it%20hard%20to%20survey.%20%0A%0ATowards%20this%2C%20NASA%20recently%20launched%20a%20brand%20new%20satellite%20dedicated%20to%20closely%20monitoring%20this%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20most%20precious%20natural%20resource.%20Thanks%20to%20this%20new%20satellite%2C%20scientists%20can%20gain%20a%20better%20understanding%20of%20global%20hydrology%20science%20like%20never%20before.%20The%20%241.2%20billion%20satellite%20will%20track%20the%20extent%20and%20movement%20of%20water%20around%20the%20world%20at%20unprecedented%20scales.%0A%0AThe%20Surface%20Water%20and%20Ocean%20Topography%20(SWOT)%20satellite%20will%20scan%20more%20than%2090%25%20of%20the%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20surface%20for%20water%2C%20and%20will%20measure%20the%20depth%20of%20water%20in%20oceans%20and%20freshwater%20bodies.%20SWOT%20will%20travel%20across%20the%20entire%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20surface%20at%20least%20once%20every%2021%20days%2C%20according%20to%20NASA.%20On%20a%20daily%20basis%2C%20approximately%20one%20terabyte%20of%20unprocessed%20data%20would%20be%20generated%20and%20sent%20back%20to%20Earth.%20It%20has%20been%20outfitted%20with%20the%20Ka-band%20Radar%20Interferometer%2C%20or%20KaRIn%2C%20which%20makes%20the%20satellite%20unique.%20The%20radar%20can%20record%20information%20in%20much%20greater%20detail%20than%20sensors%20placed%20at%20sea%20level%20can.%0A%0AIt%20will%20provide%20in-depth%20data%20on%20the%20global%20lakes%20measuring%20over%2015%20acres%20(62%2C500%20square%20meters)%20and%20rivers%20stretching%20up%20to%20330%20feet%20(100%20meters)%20across.%20As%20per%20Nature%2C%20out%20of%20six%20million%20lakes%20and%20reservoirs%2C%20the%20data%20is%20only%20available%20for%20just%2010%2C000%20to%2020%2C000.%20The%20newly%20launched%20satellite%20will%20allow%20scientists%20to%20even%20track%20smaller%20water%20bodies%2C%20which%20otherwise%20are%20hard%20to%20observe%20from%20space.%20%0A%0AOne%20of%20the%20satellite%E2%80%99s%20primary%20applications%20is%20to%20estimate%20the%20impact%20of%20global%20warming%20on%20oceans%2C%20lakes%2C%20rivers%20and%20reservoirs.%20Not%20just%20this%2C%20SWOT%20has%20been%20designed%20to%20collect%20high-resolution%20data%20on%20swirling%20eddies%2C%20ocean%20currents%20and%20tides.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWarming%20seas%2C%20extreme%20weather%2C%20more%20severe%20wildfires%20%E2%80%94%20these%20are%20only%20some%20of%20the%20consequences%20humanity%20is%20facing%20due%20to%20climate%20change%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20NASA%20Administrator%20Bill%20Nelson%20in%20a%20press%20release.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20climate%20crisis%20requires%20an%20all-hands-on-deck%20approach%2C%20and%20SWOT%20is%20the%20realization%20of%20a%20long-standing%20international%20partnership%20that%20will%20ultimately%20better%20equip%20communities%20so%20that%20they%20can%20face%20these%20challenges.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ASWOT%20analysis%20will%20also%20provide%20valuable%20insights%20into%20tracking%20sea%20level%20rise%20for%20coastal%20safety.%20This%20satellite%20would%20be%20especially%20useful%20in%20areas%20lacking%20tide%20gauges%20and%20other%20measuring%20instruments%20for%20recording%20sea%20surface%20height.%20SWOT%20observation%20will%20aid%20in%20better%20flood%20and%20drought%20forecasting%20and%20mitigation%20efforts.%0A%0AFurthermore%2C%20researchers%20and%20policymakers%20can%20develop%20better%20policies%20and%20solutions%20for%20people%E2%80%99s%20safety%20in%20a%20warming%20world.%20It%20will%20also%20assist%20local%20communities%20to%20be%20more%20prepared%20for%20water-related%20events%2C%20such%20as%20floods.%20Recent%20floods%20are%20clear%20evidence%20that%20climate%20change%20is%20likely%20to%20exacerbate%20the%20situation%20of%20water-related%20weather%20extremes%20in%20the%20coming%20years.%0A%0AThe%20satellite%20is%20jointly%20developed%20by%20NASA%20and%20the%20French%20space%20agency%20Centre%20National%20d%E2%80%99%C3%89tudes%20Spatiales%20(CNES)%2C%20along%20with%20Canadian%20Space%20Agency%20(CSA)%20and%20the%20U.K.%20Space%20Agency.%20

NASA launched first global water survey satellite

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