The European Space Agency is launching Sentinel-1, the first of five satellite missions in the Copernicus program. The satellite’s advanced radar system will allow day and night data collections, and will expand the pool of Earth observation information available to policymakers and scientists.
Successful GPM Launch Marks New Era in Earth Observation
A joint mission between NASA and Japan’s space agency, the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory, will for the first time provide near real-time information about rain and snow around the globe.
SERVIR partnership increases capabilities of Himalaya regional organization ICIMOD
SERVIR continues to put resources into the hands of local experts through its newest partnership with regional Himalaya development organization ICIMOD. With supplemental resources from SERVIR, ICIMOD has increased capacity in its member states and developed a forest fire monitoring system based on satellite data.
New posts in the Notes from the Field blog – GPM's Launch Rehearsal
Originally Published by NASA- The big show’s opening night is also it’s closing night. This will be a command performance, a one-time-only show of epic proportions attended by senior staff from two proud space-faring agencies. But like all command performances, leaders may have privileged seats but it’s the vast throng of commoners who’s interest make events memorable. Those groundlings are all of us. For a mission focused on global rainfall, the GPM launch is a show for all the people of Earth.
10 Earth Images We Love
As a special tribute for Valentine’s Day, our Earthzine team has compiled images of the Earth we love. The following is a roundup of the beauty we don’t get to see every day.
Birds’ migration secrets to be revealed by space tracker
Originally Published by Focusing on Wildlife – Small birds, butterflies, bees and fruitbats will be fitted with tiny radio transmitters and tracked throughout their lifetimes from space when a dedicated wildlife radio receiver is fitted to the International Space Station next year.
Swarm: ESA’s Magnetic Field Mission
Launched in November 2013, three Swarm satellites will provide new insights into many natural processes related to Earth’s magnetic field: from those occurring deep inside the planet to the near-Earth electromagnetic environment and the influences of the solar wind. Each of the Swarm satellites provides high-precision and high-resolution measurements of the strength, direction and variation of the magnetic field, complemented by precise navigation, accelerometer, plasma and electric field measurements.
View from space: Drier California this January
Originally Published by Earth Sky – 2013 was a dry year for California, but it has nothing on 2014 so far. January is on track to be California’s driest on record, and since the state receives half of its precipitation between December and February, it appears that the 2013-2014 water year could be the driest on record too.
NASA Kicks Off Its 2014 Earth Campaign
NASA has a big year planned for 2014, with January representing the kickoff of the 2014 ÛÏEarth Right NowÛ campaign, which involves the launch of five missions to further Earth observation.
Preparing to launch Swarm
Originally Published ESA – With the launch of ESA’s Swarm trio set for 14 November, the first satellite has arrived safely at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia. This new mission will unravel one of the most mysterious aspects of our planet: the magnetic field.r.