A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with NASAs PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) spacecraft stands vertical at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Monday, February 5, 2024. Speed is NASAs newest earth-observing satellite that will help increase our understanding of Earths oceans, environment, and climate by providing hyperspectral observations of tiny marine organisms called phytoplankton as well brand-new data on aerosols and clouds. Credit: SpaceXNASA and SpaceX are standing down from the Wednesday, February 7, launch of the agencys Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) objective due to ground winds avoiding prelaunch checkouts. Formerly, the launch was targeted for February 6, however that was scrubbed due to undesirable weather condition conditions.The team is targeting liftoff at 1:33 a.m. EST on Thursday, February 8, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.The satellite and rocket stay all set and healthy for launch.Live launch protection will begin on NASA+ and NASA TV public channel at 12:45 a.m. EST on February 8. NASAs PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) spacecraft in orbit over Earth. Credit: NASA GSFCThe Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) objective is a NASA initiative designed to advance our understanding of Earths ocean and atmosphere interactions. The missions primary goal is to keep track of worldwide ocean color, aerosols, clouds, and the marine environment from area. By employing an extremely sophisticated set of instruments, including a wide-spectral variety ocean color sensor, PACE will enable researchers to study the variety of phytoplankton in the ocean. These small plant-like organisms are foundational to the ocean food web and play a crucial role in carbon biking and the Earths climate.PACE aims to provide extraordinary insights into ocean environmental characteristics, air quality, and cloud interactions with aerosols, all of which are vital to enhancing our understanding of Earths climate system and ecological health. The data collected will support a variety of applications, consisting of climate research study, air quality forecasting, and the management of coastal and ocean resources. By enhancing our knowledge of the Earths oceans and environment, the PACE mission looks for to contribute significantly to ecological preservation and the sustainability of our world.
