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NASA Selects EDGE Mission for Global Earth Monitoring Satellite Development

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NASA Selects EDGE Mission: Pioneering Global 3D Earth Observation

NASA has selected the Earth Dynamics Geodetic Explorer (EDGE) mission for further development as part of its Earth System Explorers (ESE) program. This groundbreaking mission is poised to be the first global, swath-imaging LiDAR satellite, aiming to provide high-resolution, three-dimensional observations of Earth's land, ice, and coastal regions, as well as terrestrial ecosystems.

Led by Helen Amanda Fricker from the Scripps Polar Center at the University of California San Diego, EDGE focuses on the global monitoring of ice-covered regions, land, and coastal areas. It is described as the world’s first global, swath-imaging LiDAR satellite and the first global satellite imaging laser altimeter system.

The EDGE mission was one of two chosen from four finalists in NASA's Earth System Explorers (ESE) program, marking a significant step towards advanced Earth observation.

Unprecedented Technological Capabilities

EDGE will utilize laser pulses to create high-resolution, three-dimensional observations. It is designed to feature 40 LiDAR beams, a substantial increase from the six beams on NASA’s ICESat-2 mission. The satellite aims to acquire continuous data across five 120-meter-wide swaths, offering significantly higher resolution than previous satellite altimeters.

Furthermore, EDGE intends to measure vertical differences with an accuracy of less than three centimeters from an orbit 390 kilometers above Earth. The mission will build upon data acquisition experience from NASA’s ICESat-2 and GEDI missions, leveraging prior advancements in space-based altimetry.

Scientific Objectives and Broad Applications

The observations from EDGE will focus on critical Earth systems, including:

  • The structure of terrestrial ecosystems, such as forests.
  • The surface features of glaciers, ice sheets, and sea ice.

Key applications are expected to be diverse and impactful:

  • Biodiversity monitoring.
  • Fire risk assessment.
  • Carbon storage accounting.

The mission is also intended to enhance predictions of environmental changes and assist in natural disaster mitigation efforts.

Professor Beata Csatho from the University at Buffalo stated that EDGE will deliver the resolution and accuracy required to study ice sheet processes. Professor Sophie Nowicki, also from the University at Buffalo, noted that the mission targets rapidly changing regions at the edges of ice sheets which are not fully understood.

Development Timeline and Funding Outlook

EDGE, alongside another mission named STRIVE, will undergo additional development phases. A progress and funding review for these missions is scheduled for 2027. If approved, launches are projected to occur no earlier than 2030. The estimated cost for the EDGE mission is not to exceed $355 million, excluding launch expenses.

A Global Endeavor: International Collaboration

The EDGE mission involves a robust international team of scientists, highlighting its global significance. Key participants include:

  • Dr. Alex Fraser from the Australian Antarctic Program Partnership (AAPP) at the University of Tasmania, who will use the satellite for sea-ice coverage research.
  • Dr. Petra Heil, an AAPP affiliate.
  • Sophie Nowicki and Beata Csatho from the University at Buffalo.