NASA researchers at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt are calling a new satellite a game-changer because it will give scientists information they can use in weather forecasting.

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On Saturday morning, NASA is planning to launch its first mission to monitor soil moisture from space. A state-of-the-art satellite will give scientists information about the Earth that will play a vital role in something that affects us all -- the weather.

"It turns out soil moisture is a critical variable in weather and climate forecasting, and the applications of this (satellite) map are actually very broad for science and society," said physical research scientist Dr. John Bolten, of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. "For example, major weather extremes and events like droughts and flooding -- you can monitor and improve the forecasting of those events by incorporating soil moisture observations."

That means the potential to improve forecasts, as well as the ability to monitor diseases.

"If you think about the locations and timing of an event -- for example, where mosquitos may breed, you can identify those areas by looking at areas of higher soil moisture," Bolten said.

The Goddard Space Flight Center is where a key component of the satellite was made.

"It measures the natural microwave emission from the land surface. It can see during the daytime. It can see at night. It can see through clouds and vegetation and actually peer into the first inch or two of the soil's surface," Bolten said.

The first measurable data is expected within 90 days of launch, which is an exciting development for researchers.

"It's really a game-changer for Earth science and climate studies," Bolten said.

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NASA satellite can help with weather forecasting