NASA Launches Satellite Observers of sea bottom

The greenhouse effect and environmental degradation not only occurs on the mainland. Ocean which became the largest land area on earth was also needed attention. NASA eventually plans to study the interaction between ocean circulation, water cycle, climate, and measuring sea surface salinity with the launch of a satellite. Xinhua News Agency announce on Wednesday (18 / 5), satellite watchers international undersea Aquarius / SAC-D observatory will be launched on 9 June.

Aquarius will be the main instrument. Observatory brings seven other instruments that will collect environmental data for various applications, including studies on natural hazards, air quality, soil processes, and epidemiology. The satellite will make NASA's first space observations of concentration of dissolved salts in sea level. Aquarius observations will reveal how the influence of salinity variations in ocean circulation, traces the path of fresh water around the planet Earth.

Aquarius also will measure the salinity by sensing the microwave emission from water surfaces by means of Radiometer. These emissions can be used to indicate levels of salt water on the surface, after taking into account other environmental factors. Salinity in the open sea level varies only about five parts per thousand and little change is essential. Aquarius also uses sophisticated technology to detect small changes in salinity of about two parts per 10 thousand, equivalent to one-eighth teaspoon of salt in one gallon of water.

Aquarius will map the entire ocean every seven days for at least three years of 408 miles (657 kilometers) above Earth. With the measurement will produce monthly estimates of sea surface salinity with a spatial resolution of 93 miles (150 kilometers). The data also will reveal how changes in salinity from time to time and from one part of the ocean to another.

This mission is a collaboration between NASA and Argentina's space agency. In addition, some countries such as Brazil, Canada, France, and Italy also participated in the success of the project