In what seems like the plot to the latest James Bond movie, Russia and Europe are attempting to help save the world from natural disasters. On Friday night, the first piece of the new space “data highway” was launched. This is the first major step in creating a program that effectively monitors earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters. Across the Atlantic, NASA and SPACEX also seem to have their own program going for satellite imagery.
EUROPE AND RUSSIA TEAM UP. NASA ON THE SIDELINES?
The European Data Relay Satellite or EDRS is an expansive project based on the latest, laser based communication technology. The $545 million dollar project aims to speed up the transmission of images from satellites to earth. Pictures and radar images will be readily available in order to better monitor potential threats on the planet’s surface. A recent photo from the Russian Federal Space Agency shows the satellite blasting off on a rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. A flashy showing of teamwork for sure, but on can not help but think what role the U.S will play in this.
NASA GETS THEIR OWN DAMAGE MAPS TO HELP WITH FUTURE EARTHQUAKES
Apparently, neither NASA nor SpaceX was just sitting quietly all this time. Russia and Europe may be close knit buddies for the time being, but NASA and SpaceX have a few tricks up their sleeve. Thanks to researchers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, remote sensing satellites can now create accurate damage maps. The latest results have shown some great potential. These satellites can operate in thick cloud cover and in the most remote environments, an advantage that was previously nonexistent. This is all due to the use of Synthetic Aperture Technology (SAR). This technology allows for highly detailed radar imaging, without the clunky hardware. With this effective project in motion, NASA looks to speed up the system for quicker results.
WHAT IS SPACEX’S ROLE IN THIS?
It turns out that SpaceX is just as concerned as everyone else in terms of saving the world. They quietly launched their Falcon 9 rocket on January 17th. The rocket contained the Jason-3 satellite, designed to examine the topography of ocean floors. This data will help monitor hurricane forecasting and effects of climate change. SpaceX is normally just concerned with the launching of the satellite but they have confirmed an attempt at landing the Falcon 9 rocket offshore. This comes after a recent, successful landing of the Falcon 9 in Florida
