Imagine a future where we can predict extreme weather events weeks in advance, or monitor the tiniest cracks in glaciers as they respond to climate change. Sounds like science fiction, right? But it's not. NASA has just tapped two University of Washington-led teams to make this a reality through groundbreaking satellite missions. And this is the part most people miss: these missions could revolutionize how we understand and prepare for environmental disasters.
In a major announcement last week, NASA revealed that the UW-led STRIVE and EDGE teams have been selected to spearhead satellite missions as part of its Earth System Explorers Program. These missions, with a budget of up to $355 million each (excluding launch costs), aim to deepen our understanding of Earth’s systems and enhance our ability to forecast environmental changes. The projects, slated for launch no earlier than 2030, were chosen from a competitive pool of finalists in May 2024, following recommendations from the 2017 Decadal Survey for Earth Science and Applications from Space.
But here's where it gets controversial: While these missions promise unprecedented insights, some critics argue that the focus on high-tech solutions might divert resources from immediate, on-the-ground climate action. What do you think? Is this the right approach to tackling our planet’s challenges?
STRIVE: Unlocking the Secrets of the Atmosphere
Led by UW professor Lyatt Jaeglé, STRIVE (Stratosphere-Troposphere Response using Infrared Vertically-resolved light Explorer) will study the critical regions of the atmosphere where weather forms and the ozone layer resides. Jaeglé, an atmospheric and climate scientist, expressed her excitement: “This is a dream come true. Observing the atmosphere at this level of detail is a game-changer.”
Unlike traditional missions that look straight down at Earth, STRIVE’s instruments angle sideways, capturing the atmosphere with unparalleled precision. These compact devices, small enough to fit in an SUV trunk, can make over 400,000 observations daily. This data will shed light on temperature variations, trace gases, and the long-range transport of pollutants like volcanic smoke—all of which impact aviation and air quality.
STRIVE’s capabilities extend beyond today’s weather forecasting limits. By tracking changes in the stratosphere-troposphere interface, it could predict extreme weather events weeks in advance, giving communities precious time to prepare. “If we can see shifts in high-altitude winds, we’ll know they’ll affect the Earth’s surface weeks later,” Jaeglé explained. “Current models struggle with this, but STRIVE could change that.”
The mission also includes partners from the University of Iowa, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, and other UW experts like professors Qiang Fu, Alex Turner, and Daehyun Kim. Together, they’re poised to make a quantum leap in atmospheric science.
EDGE: Mapping Earth’s Surface in Unprecedented Detail
Meanwhile, the EDGE (Earth Dynamics Geodetic Explorer) mission, led by Helen Amanda Fricker of UC San Diego with key contributions from UW researchers, will use lasers to map Earth’s surface in 3D. This includes forests, glaciers, ice sheets, and sea ice—all with incredible precision. Benjamin Smith, a senior principal physicist at UW’s Applied Physics Laboratory, highlighted its potential: “With EDGE, we’ll see individual trees near Seattle and tiny cracks in Greenland’s glaciers. It’s these fine-scale processes that often drive larger changes.”
EDGE will be the first global satellite imaging laser altimeter system, firing pulses at Earth and measuring their return time to capture surface details at over 150,000 points per second. This data will track how ice sheets and glaciers respond to climate change, monitor sea level rise, and even aid in wildfire response. UW’s David Shean, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, called it an “everything mission” with applications ranging from natural hazard monitoring to water resource management.
For UW, EDGE marks a historic milestone, solidifying its leadership in not one but two NASA Earth Observation missions. “I’m thrilled to bring students onto the team and train the next generation of researchers,” Shean added. “The possibilities with EDGE data are limitless.”
The Bigger Picture: A New Era of Earth Observation
These missions aren’t just about gathering data—they’re about empowering humanity to make informed decisions in the face of climate change. But they also raise important questions. Are we prioritizing the right technologies? How can we ensure these advancements benefit all communities, not just those with resources?
As we celebrate these achievements, let’s also engage in a dialogue about their implications. What excites you most about these missions? And what concerns do you have? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation that could shape the future of Earth observation.
