{"id":142353,"date":"2022-07-24T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-24T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?migration=converted-node-479797"},"modified":"2024-05-16T15:08:52","modified_gmt":"2024-05-16T19:08:52","slug":"international-space-stations-view-of-earth-helps-farmers-water-crops-supports-disaster-response-monitors-climate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/international-space-stations-view-of-earth-helps-farmers-water-crops-supports-disaster-response-monitors-climate\/","title":{"rendered":"International Space Station\u2019s View of Earth Helps Farmers Water Crops, Supports Disaster Response, Monitors Climate"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_51112927625_943b3b7404_o.png\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_51112927625_943b3b7404_o.png?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"image of the city of Tokyo at night\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_51112927625_943b3b7404_o.png 5568w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_51112927625_943b3b7404_o.png?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_51112927625_943b3b7404_o.png?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_51112927625_943b3b7404_o.png?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_51112927625_943b3b7404_o.png?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_51112927625_943b3b7404_o.png?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_51112927625_943b3b7404_o.png?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_51112927625_943b3b7404_o.png?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_51112927625_943b3b7404_o.png?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_51112927625_943b3b7404_o.png?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_51112927625_943b3b7404_o.png?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">The night lights of Tokyo, Japan, are pictured from the International Space Station as it orbits 420 kilometers (261 miles) above the island nation.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">Credits: NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>On Earth, we often look toward the sky, longing to know what resides in the rest of the universe. Meanwhile, 402 kilometers (250 miles) above our planet, the International Space Station is looking back.\u00a0That Earthward gaze is feeding data and imagery back to scientists, farmers, foresters, and others around the world, making a difference for humanity right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Multiple Earth-observing instruments ride on the exterior of the station above us, including a limb full of cameras, boxes, and tools that hangs off the station\u2019s Japanese Experiment Module. Earth-observing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/cubesats\/overview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>CubeSats<\/strong><\/a> regularly deploy from the station\u2019s airlock as well as some of its resupply vehicles. Inside the station, astronauts and cosmonauts take photos of the planet from the windows of the orbiting lab and conduct Earth science experiments. All this work provides insight into our planetary home and how we might prepare for coming changes.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_pe_s129e007335_orig_l_melvin.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1357\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_pe_s129e007335_orig_l_melvin.png?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"image of astronaut taking pictures of Earth\" style=\"transform: scale(1.1); transform-origin: 37% 9%; object-position: 37% 9%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_pe_s129e007335_orig_l_melvin.png 4288w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_pe_s129e007335_orig_l_melvin.png?resize=300,199 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_pe_s129e007335_orig_l_melvin.png?resize=768,509 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_pe_s129e007335_orig_l_melvin.png?resize=1024,678 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_pe_s129e007335_orig_l_melvin.png?resize=1536,1018 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_pe_s129e007335_orig_l_melvin.png?resize=2048,1357 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_pe_s129e007335_orig_l_melvin.png?resize=400,265 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_pe_s129e007335_orig_l_melvin.png?resize=600,398 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_pe_s129e007335_orig_l_melvin.png?resize=900,596 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_pe_s129e007335_orig_l_melvin.png?resize=1200,795 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_pe_s129e007335_orig_l_melvin.png?resize=2000,1325 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">NASA astronaut Leland Melvin prepares to use a still camera at a window in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station to take pictures of the Earth.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">Credits: NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf you don\u2019t have a good understanding of how things might change, you are in a very poor position to be able to handle it when they do,\u201d says William Stefanov, manager of the Exploration Science Office at NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The factors influencing our climate must be tracked over long periods. With <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/station20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>more than 20 years<\/strong><\/a> in orbit, and counting, the space station is a great place to collect such long-term data. The combined information creates a unique data set that helps us make informed decisions on Earth, and potentially develop solutions to environmental issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The space station affords a unique planetary perspective with an orbital path covering 90% of the Earth\u2019s population. Its position in orbit allows astronauts to see the Sun rise and set 16 times each day across the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThat orbit allows the space station to pass over different spots of Earth at different times of day or night and collect data. It is a fundamentally different data set than most other remote sensing instruments collect on free-flying satellites,\u201d says Stefanov.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>International payloads on the outside of the orbiting laboratory, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/jpl\/watching-plants-water-use-is-no-sweat-for-ecostress\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>ECOSTRESS<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/goddard\/2020\/nasa-forest-structure-mission-releases-first-data\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>GEDI<\/strong><\/a><strong>, <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ocov3.jpl.nasa.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>OCO-3<\/strong><\/a><strong>, <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/station\/research\/experiments\/explorer\/Investigation.html?#id=1778\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>DESIS<\/strong><\/a><strong>, <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/station\/research\/experiments\/explorer\/Investigation.html?#id=1907\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TSIS<\/strong><\/a> (also known as TSIS-1), and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/station\/research\/experiments\/explorer\/Investigation.html?#id=7476\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>HISUI<\/strong><\/a>, individually collect climate-related data. The MUSES Earth imaging facility even offers commercial access to\u00a0a number of\u00a0Earth\u00a0observation tools. In combination, all these tools provide a unique set of measurements that could push the leading edge of environmental research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although some station experiments are focused on a specific application, many of these Earth-observing payloads provide data for a wide range of applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Analysis of the first six months of data from the State Space Corporation ROSCOSMOS (ROSCOSMOS)-Italian Space Agency (ASI) investigation <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jemeuso.org\/missions\/mini-euso\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>UV Atmosphere \u2013 Mini-EUSO<\/strong><\/a> indicated that the multipurpose telescope was able to do everything from measuring variations in airglow and ultraviolet emissions from Earth to tracking space debris and cosmic rays. It has now completed more than 40 successful sessions. Part of JEM-EUSO, a larger program involving about 300 scientists from 16 countries who are working to enhance the observation of cosmic rays, the experiment is expected to measure artificial lights above land and oceans, study the impact of energetic cosmic radiation on the Earth\u2019s atmosphere, and register and track space debris in near-Earth orbits. Mini-EUSO has already measured several thousand faint meteor arrivals, allowing scientists to study these events and obtain data on arrival direction, velocity, and brightness.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/eo_aue_iss055e006395_sm.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/eo_aue_iss055e006395_sm.png?w=600\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"image of the exterior experiment facility on the space station\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/eo_aue_iss055e006395_sm.png 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/eo_aue_iss055e006395_sm.png?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/eo_aue_iss055e006395_sm.png?resize=400,267 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">The suite of Earth-observing payloads attached to the Japanese Experiment Module is shown as the International Spaceu003cbru003eStation orbits over the southern Pacific Ocean east of New Zealand in 2018.\u00a0<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">Credits: NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Data from NASA\u2019s ECOSTRESS payload have also already had many applications. They have been employed in efforts to reduce heat absorbed by city surfaces, better allocate water, reduce fire risk, measure plant stress, search for geothermal energy sources, track mosquitos, help farmers efficiently water their fields, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cECOSTRESS measures small and subtle changes in temperature to identify plant stress, but those same measurements can also be used to identify extreme heat, such as that produced by fires or lava flows. We can also study movement of warm water currents and heatwaves in cities,\u201d says ECOSTRESS principal investigator Simon Hook. \u201cWith data that are valuable across so many science focus areas, researchers around the world are using ECOSTRESS data to produce really exciting results.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_pia23432-1041.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1058\" height=\"1050\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_pia23432-1041.png?w=1058\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"graphical image of a map from a sensor unit\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 74% 32%; object-position: 74% 32%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_pia23432-1041.png 1058w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_pia23432-1041.png?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_pia23432-1041.png?resize=300,298 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_pia23432-1041.png?resize=768,762 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_pia23432-1041.png?resize=1024,1016 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_pia23432-1041.png?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_pia23432-1041.png?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_pia23432-1041.png?resize=400,397 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_pia23432-1041.png?resize=600,595 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_pia23432-1041.png?resize=900,893 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1058px) 100vw, 1058px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">NASA’s ECOSTRESS sensor measures the stress levels of plants when it passes over the Peruvian Amazon rain forest on Aug. 7, 2019. The map reveals that the fires were concentrated in areas of water-stressed plants (brown). The pattern points to how plant health can impact the spread of fires.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">Credits: NASA\/JPL-Caltech\/Earth Observatory<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The U.S. Department of Agriculture, thousands of farmers around the world, and numerous water agencies now rely on these data for determining how much water their crops need, which ones are most water-efficient, and which ones are not getting enough water, even before they show visible signs of dehydration. A Los Angeles City pavement project has used the data to monitor the effectiveness of new reflective pavements installed to reduce heat. Forest managers can thin areas of stressed trees to reduce fire risk or at least mobilize fire crews in those areas during high-risk times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cECOSTRESS is a small, low-cost mission that has brought together so many scientists with different areas of expertise,\u201d says Hook. \u201cBut the core team is very small and has done incredible work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ECOSTRESS team is even looking at collaborating with the research teams of other space station research payloads to provide additional benefits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe OCO-3 team wants to understand plants and their role in the carbon cycle,\u201d says OCO-3 project scientist Annmarie Eldering of NASA\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. \u201cIt turns out our space station neighbor ECOSTRESS is looking at how plants respond to stress. And then there is GEDI, which is looking at how much plant material is on the ground. Scientists who are thinking about plants and their role in the carbon cycle are super excited. We have heard lots of discussion about how we can use all the data together to better understand plants.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_ksc-20190429-ph_kls01_0074_orig.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_ksc-20190429-ph_kls01_0074_orig.png?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"image of a scientist speaking\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 55% 23%; object-position: 55% 23%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_ksc-20190429-ph_kls01_0074_orig.png 6720w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_ksc-20190429-ph_kls01_0074_orig.png?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_ksc-20190429-ph_kls01_0074_orig.png?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_ksc-20190429-ph_kls01_0074_orig.png?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_ksc-20190429-ph_kls01_0074_orig.png?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_ksc-20190429-ph_kls01_0074_orig.png?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_ksc-20190429-ph_kls01_0074_orig.png?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_ksc-20190429-ph_kls01_0074_orig.png?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_ksc-20190429-ph_kls01_0074_orig.png?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_ksc-20190429-ph_kls01_0074_orig.png?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_ksc-20190429-ph_kls01_0074_orig.png?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Annmarie Eldering, project scientist for OCO-3, speaks during a What\u2019s On Board science briefing at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 29, 2019. The briefing was held for SpaceX\u2019s 17th Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-17) mission to the International Space Station, which launched OCO-3 into orbit.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">Credits: NASA\/Kennedy<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>NASA\u2019s OCO-3 sensor uses sunlight reflections through the atmosphere to measure variations in atmospheric carbon dioxide, observing changes of less than a single part per million. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMost gases like ozone, carbon monoxide, or water vapor double or triple in atmospheric concentration when they are polluted, so it is pretty easy to detect. But for carbon dioxide, it is uniquely difficult to see the changes,\u201d says Eldering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Measuring those small changes could be key to answering long-standing questions about atmospheric carbon dioxide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFortunately for us, the plants and ocean absorb about half of human-generated carbon dioxide emissions every year. But there are still mysteries around how they do that, why the amount is different each year, and how absorption is going to happen in the future,\u201d says Eldering. \u201cOur data are meant to help answer those kinds of questions.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2021, using data from OCO-3, researchers released one of the most accurate maps ever made from space of the human influence on carbon dioxide in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. These types of data help decision makers choose the most effective policies to reach goals for cutting emissions and measuring the effectiveness of new regulations.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNow we\u2019re looking at a lot of other cities,\u201d said Eldering. \u201cAnd when you look at our data as well as other gases that are measured by other instruments, we are really starting to be able to put together a detailed picture of emissions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Carbon storage and removal also has been investigated both inside and outside station. The ESA (European Space Agency) Photobioreactor study cultivated algae to examine whether microalgae could help close the carbon loop in future life support systems, and Kuwait\u2019s Experiment: <em>E. coli<\/em> C<sub>5<\/sub> studied the effect of microgravity on <em>E. coli<\/em> bacteria that were modified to consume carbon dioxide as food. Images taken by former space station payload HICO even helped develop an algorithm to detect harmful algal blooms, which can play a major role in the global carbon cycle.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With other devices such as SAGE-III tracking the recovery of ozone, NASA\u2019s ISS-LIS and ESA\u2019s ASIM monitoring lightning, and TSIS tracking the total energy flowing into Earth from the Sun, station experiments advance numerous climate records and models. Solar irradiance represents one of the longest climate data records derived from space-based observations. Researchers have been able to maintain continuity of that record with TSIS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cClimate change presents what is perhaps humankind\u2019s greatest environmental challenge,\u201d says former TSIS principal investigator and University of Colorado Boulder professor Peter Pilewskie. \u201cMonitoring the energy that flows into, within, and out of the system underpins our ability to understand how the climate system works, recognize that it is changing, and identify those mechanisms responsible for climate change.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The space station offers a standardized, capable platform to house Earth observation experiments such as TSIS. The size of a football field and equipped with numerous attachment points, plenty of data capacity, and a large power supply, the space station can host a wide variety of instruments simultaneously. The availability of these resources made the space station a great last-minute option for the TSIS team to quickly get its payload into orbit. After some delays, the team was facing potential failure of previous tracking instruments before TSIS could launch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt started to get pretty dire, because accuracy of the climate record is maintained at its highest possible level when the data record is continuous,\u201d says Pilewskie. \u201cBecause of space station, we were able to continue this record.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After researchers learn the basics of creating a payload for the space station, they can apply that knowledge to future station projects. Pilewskie is already working on his next experiment, <a href=\"https:\/\/clarreo-pathfinder.larc.nasa.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>CLARREO Pathfinder<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe value that we gained from operating an instrument on station that needed to point very precisely cannot be understated,\u201d says Pilewskie. \u201cWe have to do the same thing with CLARREO Pathfinder, so we are using some of the same motors that we use to drive the TSIS instruments.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scheduled to launch in the next few years, CLARREO plans to study Earth\u2019s climate by taking measurements of sunlight reflected by Earth and the Moon with five to ten times lower uncertainty than measurements from existing sensors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)\u2019s integrated Standard Imager for Microsatellites (iSIM), a high-resolution optical binocular telescope developed by Spanish company SATLANTIS, takes images of Earth at less than 1 meter (39 inches) of resolution.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_jsc2019e062140_satlantis.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_jsc2019e062140_satlantis.png?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"image of a binocular telescope used for Earth observations\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_jsc2019e062140_satlantis.png 2592w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_jsc2019e062140_satlantis.png?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_jsc2019e062140_satlantis.png?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_jsc2019e062140_satlantis.png?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_jsc2019e062140_satlantis.png?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_jsc2019e062140_satlantis.png?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_jsc2019e062140_satlantis.png?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_jsc2019e062140_satlantis.png?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_jsc2019e062140_satlantis.png?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_jsc2019e062140_satlantis.png?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_jsc2019e062140_satlantis.png?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Preflight side view of the JAXA iSIM-IOD flight unit. Developed by SATLANTIS, iSIM is a new-generation, high-resolution optical payload binocular telescope for Earth observation. The design combines class-leading performance via the utilization of cutting-edge technologies, significantly reduced build times, and a new level of affordability.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">Credits: SATLANTIS<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>It is not only sensors monitoring our planet from above. People do so as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The windows of the space station provide an opportunity for astronaut photography and manual collection of climate data. Astronauts have taken more than 4 million images of Earth from space (over 3.5 million from the space station), contributing to one of the longest-running records of how Earth has changed over time. Crew Earth Observations currently support urban night lighting studies, glacier and volcano monitoring, and studies of atmospheric processes affected by volcanic eruptions. The ROSCOSMOS Hurricane-Visual study also contributes imagery that assists with Earth monitoring, providing an additional source of data.\u00a0These images also support relief efforts for disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_48708154176_554ccb6151_o.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1365\" height=\"2048\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_48708154176_554ccb6151_o.png?w=1365\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"image of an astronaut taking pictures of Earth\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_48708154176_554ccb6151_o.png 3712w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_48708154176_554ccb6151_o.png?resize=200,300 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_48708154176_554ccb6151_o.png?resize=768,1152 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_48708154176_554ccb6151_o.png?resize=683,1024 683w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_48708154176_554ccb6151_o.png?resize=1024,1536 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_48708154176_554ccb6151_o.png?resize=1365,2048 1365w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_48708154176_554ccb6151_o.png?resize=267,400 267w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_48708154176_554ccb6151_o.png?resize=400,600 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_48708154176_554ccb6151_o.png?resize=600,900 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_48708154176_554ccb6151_o.png?resize=800,1200 800w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/eo_aue_48708154176_554ccb6151_o.png?resize=1333,2000 1333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1365px) 100vw, 1365px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Expedition 60 crew members take turns capturing images of rapidly intensifying Hurricane Dorian from the cupola inside the International Space Station on Aug. 30, 2019, as it churns over the Atlantic Ocean.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">Credits: NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Station even extends its climate science impact by deploying CubeSats into low-Earth orbit. These shoebox-sized devices contain technology demonstrations or test new types of climate science. Astronauts unload and prep them on station and then deploy the devices out of the space station airlock. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThat has been a great resource for small programs, especially universities or NASA centers trying to get some small projects going. CubeSats might be their first\u00a0stepping-stone\u00a0to larger things,\u201d says TSIS and NanoRacks-MinXSS principal investigator Tom Woods. \u201cSpace station offers a lot of opportunities to get these smaller things into space.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Climate CubeSats deployed from station include the following: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>The student-designed NanoRacks-MinXSS CubeSat targeted a better understanding of solar X-ray energy and how it affects the layers of Earth\u2019s upper atmosphere.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>JAXA\u2019s DIWATA-1 satellite provides remote sensing information to the Philippines by observing meteorological disasters such as typhoons and localized heavy rains.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NASA\u2019s HARP CubeSat helps us better understand how clouds and aerosols impact weather, climate, and air quality.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>As Earth\u2019s climate changes, the International Space Station will be watching from above, helping provide unique insights needed to keep our planet safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"NASA ScienceCasts: Keeping an Eye on Earth\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9XIBNC7mtIs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-center nasa-button-link padding-y-1 padding-x-0 hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-related-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/station\/research-explorer\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-md link-external-false\" aria-label=\"Space Station Research Explorer\">\n\t\t<span class=\"line-height-alt-1\">Space Station Research Explorer<\/span>\n\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-center nasa-button-link padding-y-1 padding-x-0 hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-related-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ISS_Research\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-md link-external-true\" aria-label=\"Follow us on Twitter!\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t<span class=\"line-height-alt-1\">Follow us on Twitter!<\/span>\n\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-cards nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-cards\">\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block-lg padding-x-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-2\">Keep Exploring<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-36 line-height-sm\">Discover More Topics From NASA<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 hds-topic-cards-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-research-and-technology\/benefits-for-humanity\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Station Benefits for Humanity<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?resize=1200,675 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-research-and-technology\/latest-news-from-space-station-research\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Latest News from Space Station Research<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1536\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?resize=200,300 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?resize=768,1152 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?resize=683,1024 683w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?resize=1024,1536 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?resize=267,400 267w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?resize=400,600 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?resize=600,900 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?resize=800,1200 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/kennedy\/launch-services-program\/cubesat-launch-initiative\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>CubeSat Launch Initiative<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1468\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/m15-146_lunar_orbiter_cubesat.jpg?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); 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Meanwhile, 402 kilometers (250 miles) above our planet, the International Space Station is looking back.\u00a0That Earthward gaze is feeding data and imagery back to scientists, farmers, foresters, and others around the world, making a difference for [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64,"featured_media":149741,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"64","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[3212,2846,2656,2735,11285,2662,2799],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[3995,12225,8610,5093],"coauthors":[12410],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"International Space Station\u2019s View of Earth Helps Farmers Water Crops, Supports Disaster Response, Monitors 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