NASA Pathfinding Missions for Studying Soil Moisture and Vog
Context:
NASA recently launched two pathfinding missions into Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), showcasing new technologies for monitoring atmospheric gases, measuring freshwater, and detecting possible volcanic eruptions.
Low Earth Orbit
This is the innermost orbital region around Earth, typically extending from the planet’s surface to an altitude of about 2,000 kilometres.
Satellites in LEO complete one revolution every 90-120 minutes.
Advantages:
- Lower latency for communication signals (e.g., internet connectivity via satellite constellations like Starlink).
- Easier and cheaper launch due to the lower altitude.
- Ideal for Earth observation (gathering high-resolution imagery and data).
Signals of Opportunity P-Band Investigation (SNoOPI)
- It is a low-noise radio receiver.
- It tests a new technique for measuring root-zone soil moisture.
Why Soil Moisture?
- Crop Growth and Irrigation: It can provide valuable insights into crop growth and water needs.
- This information can be used to optimise irrigation practices, ensuring efficient water usage and maximising agricultural yield.
- Global Water Cycle: Accurately measuring soil moisture across vast areas contributes to a better understanding of the global water cycle.
- This measurement is done by harnessing radio signals produced by commercial satellites.
- The instrument maximises the value of space-based assets already in orbit, transforming existing radio signals into research tools.
Hyperspectral Thermal Imager (HyTI)
- It is a 6U CubeSat and measures trace gases linked to volcanic eruptions.
6U CubeSatIt’s a type of miniaturised satellite classified by its size. It offers more payload space compared to smaller CubeSats, allowing for more powerful instruments and experiments. It is used Earth observation, Scientific research, Communications relay and Technological demonstrations. |
- Hyperspectral imagers like HyTI measure a broad spectrum of thermal radiation signatures, and they’re particularly useful for characterising gases in low concentrations.
- It will help them quantify concentrations of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere around volcanoes.
- It can predict when a volcano will erupt and when a volcanic eruption is going to end.
Volcanoes and sulphur dioxide (SO2)
During a volcanic eruption, a large amount of SO2 is released along with other gases like water vapour and carbon dioxide.
Impacts of SO2 from Volcanoes:
- Vog (Volcanic Smog): SO2 reacts with sunlight, moisture, and other atmospheric elements to form a visible haze called “vog.”
- This vog can cause respiratory problems and air quality issues in areas downwind of the volcano.
- Climate Impact: At high altitudes, SO2 can convert into sulphate aerosols, which reflect sunlight back into space.
- This can cause a temporary cooling effect on the global climate, especially after large eruptions.
- Acid Rain: SO2 can react with water vapour in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid, contributing to acid rain.
- This acid rain can harm ecosystems and infrastructure.