NASA Selects STRIVE and EDGE Missions for Earth System Explorers Program
NASA has announced the selection of two new satellite missions, STRIVE and EDGE, under its Earth System Explorers Program. These missions are designed to enhance the understanding of Earth, improve capabilities for forecasting environmental events, and mitigate disasters. Both missions are now proceeding to the next development phase, with a projected launch date no earlier than 2030.
These missions are designed to enhance the understanding of Earth, improve capabilities for forecasting environmental events, and mitigate disasters.
Overview of the Earth System Explorers Program
The STRIVE and EDGE missions were chosen as part of NASA’s Earth System Explorers Program. This program focuses on principal investigator-led Earth science investigations that align with scientific community priorities and national needs. The objective is to collect targeted observational data to address key environmental challenges.
The STRIVE Mission: Unveiling Atmospheric Dynamics
The Stratosphere Troposphere Response using Infrared Vertically-resolved light Explorer (STRIVE) mission will provide daily, near-global, high-resolution measurements. It is designed to observe temperature, atmospheric elements, and aerosol properties from the upper troposphere to the mesosphere.
Key aspects of the STRIVE mission include:
- Lead Investigator: Lyatt Jaeglé at the University of Washington in Seattle.
- Measurements: Will provide greater spatial density than previous missions, measuring vertical profiles of ozone and trace gases.
- Expected Benefits: Data collected is anticipated to aid in the understanding of ozone layer recovery and support longer-range weather forecasts, which can benefit coastal communities.
The EDGE Mission: Mapping Earth's Surfaces
The Earth Dynamics Geodetic Explorer (EDGE) mission will focus on observing the three-dimensional structure of terrestrial ecosystems and the surface topography of glaciers, ice sheets, and sea ice.
Key aspects of the EDGE mission include:
- Lead Investigator: Helen Amanda Fricker at the University of California San Diego.
- Advancement: Aims to advance measurements beyond those currently provided by NASA’s ICESat-2 and GEDI satellites.
- Data Use: Data from EDGE will measure conditions relevant to land and sea transportation corridors, terrain, and other commercial interests.
Development and Funding Outlook
Both STRIVE and EDGE will now move into their next phase of development. A confirmation review is scheduled for 2027 to assess progress and funding availability. If confirmed, the estimated cost for each mission, excluding launch expenses, is not expected to exceed $355 million. The earliest projected launch date for these missions is 2030.