5 NASA missions probe Earth's climate, a photo gallery
It is the first time in more than a decade that five Earth science missions will be launched into space in the same year, according to NASA. Two launches will take equipment to the International Space Station, which recently received an extension and will now stay in orbit until 2024. That extra time will enable scientists to make use of instruments that will aid climate research and weather forecasting.
Here is a rundown of NASA’s launches in 2014. [All images courtesy of NASA.]
NASA's 2014 missions will provide insight about Earth's climate.
February launch: The first NASA Earth science mission of 2014 is the Global Precipitation Measurement Core Observatory, a joint international project with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Launch is scheduled for Feb. 27 from Japan.
June launch: The first of two 2014 Earth science missions to the International Space Station, ISS-RapidScat will extend the data record of ocean winds around the globe, a key factor in climate research and weather forecasting.
July launch: The Orbiting Carbon Observatory will make precise, global measurements of carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas that is the largest human-generated contributor to global warming.
September launch: The Cloud-Aerosol Transport System (CATS) instrument shown here uses three-wavelength lasers to extend satellite observations of small particles in the atmosphere. CATS is set to launch on a SpaceX resupply flight to the space station.
November launch: NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive mission will track Earth's water into one of its last hiding places: the soil. SMAP soil moisture data will aid in predictions of agricultural productivity, weather and climate.
