Advanced satellite instrument aims to track harmful pollutants in Earth’s atmosphere

New Satellite Technology to Track Harmful Pollutants in Earth’s Atmosphere

The National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS) has announced the development of new satellite technology that will enable the tracking of harmful pollutants in Earth’s atmosphere. This initiative is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) ongoing efforts to improve air quality monitoring and forecasts. The new satellite mission will be launched following the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES-R) series.

The GOES-R Series: Enhancing Weather Detection

The GOES-R series of satellites is designed to significantly enhance the detection of weather phenomena. These satellites provide faster and more accurate weather forecasts, real-time mapping of lightning activity, and monitoring of space weather, among other capabilities.

The next launch in the GOES-R series, GOES-U, is scheduled for June 25, 2024, at 5:16 p.m. EDT.

The GeoXO Mission: State-of-the-Art Technology

Following the GOES-R launch series, NOAA has plans for the Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) mission, which is expected to take place in the early 2030s. The GeoXO mission will feature state-of-the-art technology aimed at further advancing atmospheric observations.

One of the satellites to be launched during the GeoXO series is the Atmospheric Composition instrument (ACX), developed by BAE Systems. The ACX will provide critical information about Earth’s atmosphere, specifically observing air pollutants emitted by various sources such as transportation, power generation, industry, oil and gas extraction, volcanoes, and wildfires.

Improving Air Quality Monitoring and Health Impacts

The ACX’s ability to provide hourly measurements of air pollutants will significantly enhance air quality monitoring. This, in turn, will help alleviate health impacts caused by severe pollution and smoke events. Joel Dreessen, the deputy program manager for the Air Monitoring Program at the Maryland Department of the Environment, highlights the potential of this technology to revolutionize the communication of air quality impacts with the public.

Contributing to Sustainable Development Goals

The development and deployment of advanced satellite technology align with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These include:

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – By improving air quality monitoring, the technology supports efforts to protect human health from the adverse effects of pollution.
2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The tracking of pollutants emitted by power generation contributes to the promotion of clean energy sources.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The use of state-of-the-art technology in satellite missions demonstrates advancements in innovation and infrastructure.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action – The data collected by these satellites will enhance understanding of the Earth’s atmosphere, weather patterns, and climate, supporting climate action initiatives.

The collaboration between NESDIS, NOAA, and BAE Systems exemplifies the importance of technological advancements in addressing environmental challenges and achieving sustainable development.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters
   • Indicator: Improved detection and monitoring of weather phenomena, real-time mapping of lightning activity, and monitorization of space weather

2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.9: Substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination
   • Indicator: Hourly measurements of air pollutants emitted by transportation, power generation, industry, oil and gas extraction, volcanoes, and wildfires

Explanation of Findings

The article discusses the development of new satellite technology to track harmful pollutants in Earth’s atmosphere. Based on the content of the article, the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), targets, and indicators can be identified:

SDG 13: Climate Action

The article mentions the GOES-R series of satellites, which aim to improve the detection of weather phenomena significantly. This aligns with SDG 13, which focuses on climate action. The specific target under this SDG that can be identified is Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters. The article mentions that the satellites provide faster, more accurate weather forecasts, real-time mapping of lightning activity, and monitorization of space weather. These capabilities contribute to strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters. The indicator for this target is the improved detection and monitoring of weather phenomena.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The article also highlights the development of the Atmospheric Composition instrument (ACX), which will observe air pollutants emitted by various sources. This aligns with SDG 3, which focuses on good health and well-being. The specific target under this SDG that can be identified is Target 3.9: Substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. The article mentions that hourly measurements of air pollutants will significantly improve air quality monitoring, alleviating health impacts from severe pollution and smoke events. The indicator for this target is the hourly measurements of air pollutants emitted by transportation, power generation, industry, oil and gas extraction, volcanoes, and wildfires.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wavy.com