In a groundbreaking advancement for Earth observation science, NASA has recently announced the selection of two pivotal satellite missions led by University of Washington (UW) researchers. These missions, STRIVE (Stratosphere-Troposphere Response using Infrared Vertically-resolved light Explorer) and EDGE (Earth Dynamics Geodetic Explorer), promise to revolutionize our understanding of Earth’s atmospheric dynamics and surface changes, respectively. Both initiatives are part of NASA’s esteemed Earth System Explorers program, which fosters principal investigator-led scientific missions endorsed by the National Academies’ Decadal Survey for Earth Science.
STRIVE is designed to probe the elusive interface between the stratosphere and the troposphere—the atmospheric regions where weather phenomena initiate and where the critical ozone layer resides. Employing compact infrared instruments, STRIVE will facilitate over 400,000 daily measurements by observing the atmosphere sideways rather than looking directly downward. This innovative vantage point permits high-resolution vertical profiling of temperature and trace gases, providing an unprecedented look into the chemistry and physics governing the ozone layer and the troposphere’s influence on weather systems and pollution transport.
This mission is anticipated to transform atmospheric chemistry studies by delivering not only ozone concentration data but a comprehensive compositional analysis of all chemical species that modulate ozone’s behavior in the stratosphere. Post-depletion recovery of the ozone layer, which absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation, still necessitates precise monitoring to understand subtle changes influenced by natural and anthropogenic factors. STRIVE’s detailed spectroscopic measurements will thus be critical for evaluating ongoing ozone dynamics as well as for assessing how events such as volcanic eruptions and wildfires redistribute pollutants through vertical atmospheric transport.
By capturing intricate constituent levels and temperature gradients at the stratosphere-troposphere boundary, STRIVE holds potential to significantly enhance predictive capabilities of weather models. Current forecasting models largely depend on incomplete understanding of stratospheric influences; STRIVE’s data could unravel the mechanisms by which disturbances high above propagate downward, impacting surface weather weeks later. This may extend the predictive window beyond the typical ten-day forecast period, equipping communities with earlier warnings of extreme weather and potentially mitigating disaster impacts.
The STRIVE collaboration encompasses a multidisciplinary team spanning academia, industry, and federal research entities. The principal investigator, UW atmospheric and climate scientist Lyatt Jaeglé, alongside key contributors such as University of Iowa’s Jun Wang and NASA Goddard’s Luke Oman, exemplifies the mission’s comprehensive scientific leadership. Additional UW atmospheric science faculty members contribute expertise, underscoring the university’s commitment to leading-edge Earth system research.
Parallel to STRIVE, the EDGE mission spearheaded by a team including scientists from UW’s Applied Physics Laboratory and led by Helen Amanda Fricker of the University of California San Diego, aims to capture the three-dimensional dynamics of Earth’s surface with unparalleled precision. Employing the first-ever global satellite laser altimeter system capable of firing over 150,000 laser pulses per second, EDGE measures subtle variations in surface elevation that are critical to understanding glacier dynamics, ice sheet responses, forest canopy structures, and coastal changes.
EDGE’s laser altimetry technology operates by timing the return of emitted laser pulses reflected from Earth’s surface, allowing detection of changes at a granular scale. This capability facilitates the monitoring of small-scale geomorphological phenomena such as crevasses on polar ice or individual tree canopies in temperate forests. By extending this precision globally, EDGE can document seasonal and decadal trends that inform scientific models of climate-driven transformations and natural hazard assessments.
The ability to measure fine-scale elevation changes provides key insights into processes driving larger environmental changes. For instance, detecting incremental ice sheet thinning elucidates contributions to global sea level rise, while detailed forest canopy measurements inform carbon cycle studies and wildfire risk assessments. This comprehensive “everything mission” approach positions EDGE as a transformative asset for a diverse array of Earth science disciplines.
The EDGE team’s expertise spans civil and environmental engineering, physics, and geosciences, with UW senior scientists Benjamin Smith, Tyler Sutterley, and David Shean instrumental in mission development. Their collaboration with national and international partners ensures that EDGE data will not only enhance scientific inquiry but also serve practical applications in natural hazard monitoring, water resource management, and climate resilience planning.
Both STRIVE and EDGE embody the next frontier of Earth observation, with each mission projected to launch no earlier than 2030 and adhering to rigorous budget constraints of under $355 million excluding launch expenditures. These investments represent a technological leap that couples sophisticated instrumentation with targeted scientific questions, exemplifying NASA’s vision to deepen humanity’s understanding of Earth’s complex systems amid a rapidly changing climate.
As these missions prepare for development and eventual deployment, they offer a rare opportunity for the academic community to contribute to and benefit from data that will shape the environmental sciences for decades to come. The involvement of UW faculty and the integration of cutting-edge technology into these missions underscore the increasing importance of collaborations bridging disciplines and institutions.
In an era where the consequences of climate change and natural disasters are escalating in scale and urgency, the detailed observational insights enabled by STRIVE and EDGE are poised to transform how society monitors, predicts, and responds to environmental challenges. The enhanced temporal and spatial resolution of atmospheric and surface data they promise could become a cornerstone for climate adaptation strategies worldwide.
For those engaged in atmospheric and earth system sciences, the upcoming decade promises a wealth of knowledge harvested from these missions, catalyzing innovations in modeling, forecasting, and environmental management. With STRIVE and EDGE, NASA and the University of Washington are charting an ambitious course toward safeguarding the planet’s future.
Subject of Research: Earth system science focusing on atmospheric chemistry and dynamics; surface elevation changes and cryospheric responses to climate change
Article Title: NASA Selects University of Washington-led STRIVE and EDGE Missions to Revolutionize Earth Observation
News Publication Date: June 2024
Web References:
- https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-selects-two-earth-system-explorers-missions
- https://strive.uw.edu/
- https://edge.ucsd.edu/team/
- https://today.ucsd.edu/story/uc-san-diego-led-science-team-selected-for-nasa-satellite-mission
Keywords: Atmospheric science, stratosphere, troposphere, ozone layer, greenhouse gases, atmospheric chemistry, climate change, natural disasters, wildfires, volcanoes, polar ice caps, altimetry, sea level rise, geomorphology, Earth atmosphere
