In the wee hours of yesterday morning, NASA launched JPSS-2—its newest satellite, which will join a global observation system that analyzes the Earth’s weather patterns.
In partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the satellite will be used to predict and track meteorological events by analyzing things like drought patterns, ocean health, ice cap meltage, air quality, and holes in the ozone layer.
- These global analyses will be used to make super-accurate local predictions, like determining how a typhoon in Japan might result in heavy rainfall in California.
- Data from two similar satellites already in orbit have been used to accurately predict the precise landfall location of Hurricane Ian on the Florida coast this year.
In addition to putting local weathermen to shame, the new satellite will also play a role in gauging the ongoing effects of climate change through its high-tech data-collection abilities.
Why it matters: A satellite that can deliver new levels of accuracy in predicting climate catastrophes means that countries that buddy up with the NOAA (including Canada) would get a leg-up on preparing for impending disasters.
With extreme weather on pace to cost Canada $139 billion by 2050, new data could not only help reduce the damage by allowing the country to put the right infrastructure to curb the effects, but help develop and maintain records on the long-term impacts of climate change.