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ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS)
Status:
Future, Formulation
Mission Category:
Venture Class, Earth Venture-Instrument
Launch Date: 2019
The ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) will address critical questions on plant–water dynamics and future ecosystem changes with climate through an optimal combination of thermal infrared (TIR) measurements over the diurnal cycle for a wide range of biomes with high spatiotemporal resolution from the International Space Station. ECOSTRESS will fill a key gap in our observing capability, advance core NASA and societal objectives, and allow us to address the following science objectives:
1. Identify critical thresholds of water use and water stress in key climate sensitive biomes;
2. Detect the timing, location, and predictive factors leading to plant water uptake decline and/or cessation over the diurnal cycle; and,
3. Measure agricultural water consumptive use over the contiguous United States (CONUS) at spatiotemporal scales applicable to improve drought estimation accuracy.
The ECOSTRESS mission will acquire data for 1 year, measuring TIR, evapotranspiration (ET), Water Use Efficiency (WUE), and the Evaporative Stress Index drought indicator for selected regions of the globe and the entire CONUS.
Key ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station Facts
| Mission/Portal Page: | http://science.nasa.gov/missions/ecostress/ |
|---|---|
| Altitude:Distance from sea level. | 415km |
| Inclination: | 51.65° |
| Origination: | NASA |
| Instruments: |
IR Radiometer |
| Principle Investigator(s): |
Simon Hook, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory |