Context:
NASA’s new satellite TEMPO measures air pollution hourly has shown significant progress and now the space agency officials are already thinking about ways to extend its life.
Relevance:
GS III: Science and Technology
TEMPO Satellite:
Mission Focus:
- Tropospheric Emissions Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO).
Geographical Coverage:
- Monitors major air pollutants across North America.
Monitoring Range:
- Extends from Canada’s oil sands to the Yucatán Peninsula.
- Across the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.
Virtual Constellation:
- Part of a virtual constellation with South Korea’s GEMS and the European Space Agency’s upcoming satellite.
- Aims for comprehensive air pollution monitoring over the Northern Hemisphere.
Scientific Observations:
- Measures ozone, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, and formaldehyde levels.
Monitoring Capability:
- Capable of hourly air quality measurements over North America during the daytime.
- Provides resolution at the level of several square miles.
Applications:
- Monitors effects of various sources, including rush-hour traffic, forest fires, and volcanoes.
Orbit Type:
- Hosted in geostationary orbit.
- In contrast to traditional low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.
Operation Duration:
- Designed for a 20-month operation period.
-Source: Hindustan Times
