Smos begins climate change mission
The satellite has been created by Esa
A mission to launch a new satellite which will monitor climate change has got off to a successful start.
The European Space Agency (Esa), which is based primarily in Paris, has announced that a rocket carrying the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (Smos) satellite lifted off from Russia without any problems earlier today (2nd November).
It is hoped the technology will play a key role in the monitoring of climate change, as it will map sea surface salinity and soil moisture, as well as the general water cycle as a whole, on a global scale.
Such information should help experts improve predictions related to the weather, including the probability of extreme disasters such as floods across the world.
In addition, it will also monitor issues including plant growth, which could be vital in calculating levels of carbon dioxide released and absorbed by greenery.
Take action
- See more out-of-this-world space stories
- Find out about plans to tackle climate change at Copenhagen
- Watch videos from the Esa on youtube
Jean-Jacques Dordain, the director-general of Esa, said Smos is "a very important event".
"This is the second of our Earth Explorers and with that we confirm that Esa is the space agency of the world making the best efforts for Earth science and a new understanding of climate change," he added.
SIDEWAYS News for fresh perspectives
