Exploration of the cosmos - NASA Launches a Climate Satellite
The first small satellite out of a pair called "Prefire" has taken flight from New Zealand, carried by Electron rocket. It blasted off from Mahia Peninsula spaceport on North Island of New Zealand at 9:41 a.m. German time, on a Saturday, as stated by Nasa. The second one is expected to launch soon.
These "Prefire" satellites (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment) are about the size of a shoe box and will research the amount of heat absorbed and released by Earth's polar regions for their 10-month mission from a height of approximately 525 kilometers. The infrared measurements aim to fill gaps in our understanding of the planet's overall energy expenditure.
"This data will improve our predictions regarding sea ice melting, glacier shrinkage, and sea level rise, allowing us to comprehend the transformations of Earth's systems in the upcoming years," stated Karen St. Germain, Nasa's Earth Science Division Head. This knowledge will also improve weather and climate forecasting.
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- The launch of the "Prefire" satellites by NASA from New Zealand signifies a significant contribution to combating climate change in the USA and globally, as these satellites will provide crucial data about Earth's energy expenditure and climate changes.
- NASA's successful launch of a climate satellite from New Zealand marks a significant advancement in space travel, as small satellites like "Prefire" can facilitate climate research at a lower cost compared to traditional larger spacecraft.
- Nasa's Earth Science Division Head, Karen St. Germain, emphasized the importance of this satellite launch, noting that the infrared measurements will help improve predictions about sea ice melting, glacier shrinkage, and sea level rise, yielding valuable insights into Earth's climate change and weather forecasting.
- Collectively, space travel and satellite technology, such as NASA's "Prefire" satellites, play a pivotal role in addressing climate change, as they enable scientists to gain a better understanding of our environment and make more accurate predictions about climate change effects, such as sea-level rise and extreme weather events, in countries like the USA and New Zealand.
Source: www.stern.de
