NASA is embarking on a new mission to utilize the International Space Station as a science platform for studying the Earth. <\/p>\n
The $150 billion ISS gives scientists and engineers a unique vantage point to use Earth-observing instruments to collect data. <\/p>\n
NASA currently plans to mount six Earth science instruments to the ISS by the end of this decade. <\/p>\n
\"We're seeing the space station come into its own as an Earth-observing platform,\" said Julie Robinson, chief scientist for the International Space Station Program in a statement. \"It has a different orbit than other Earth-observing satellites. It's closer to Earth, and it sees Earth at different times of day with a different schedule.\" <\/p>\n
Astronauts working aboard the ISS have observed and photographed several phenomena that typical orbiting satellites were unable to get. One example is detailed images of a massive ash plume from the fresh eruption of the Pavlof Volcano in May 2013. <\/p>\n
The first instrument used for this new decade of discovery is ISS-RapidScat, which was launched on Sept. 20 from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station by Space Exploration Technologies. <\/p>\n
ISS-RapidScat will monitor the changes in direction and velocity of ocean winds, which will directly impact the accuracy of hurricane predictions around the world, officials said. <\/p>\n
Also see: Mother Nature giving no break to rain-weary residents <\/p>\n
The next Earth science instrument to launch to the ISS in December will be the Cloud-Aerosol Transport System. It will monitor airborne particles such as pollution, mineral dust, and smoke with a laser radar. <\/p>\n
\"With the space station we don't have to build a whole new spacecraft to gather new data -- it's already there, said Stephen Volz, associate director of flight programs in the Earth Science Division at NASA Headquarters. Designing instruments for the space station also gives us a chance to do high-risk, high-return instruments in a relatively economical way.\" <\/p>\n
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