NASA is experiencing a few challenges when it comes to the accurate collection of data from Earth and space. They might need help from the private sector and regular citizens to solve the problem. NASA citizen science project app on a phone. (Image via citizen science center)
When it comes to precision in data, many will agree that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration must be the most reliable place to get it from. However recently the agency is finding it hard to always maintain accuracy.
For some of their work, NASA engineers use CERES (Clouds and Earth’s Radiant Energy System) to decipher the impact of clouds on the variations in the climate. The system is composed of 6 satellites that take pictures of the Earth. The challenge engineers are having with CERES is that from the pictures it takes, they can’t separate certain types of clouds in certain conditions. One example is how similar a snowy sky is to the type of clouds named CIRRUS. To solve that issue, scientists believe that it will help to have images from the ground to confirm or not the images CERES is taking. Hence, the creation of the Citizen Science Project (CSP).
The CSP requires that regular people volunteer to take about ten pictures of the sky per day and submit them to the NASA using an app: the GLOBE OBSERVER. Although it might sound fun to collaborate with NASA, there are details of the participation that might discourage a few people. First, there is a questionnaire in the app that not only helps the volunteers identify accurately the type of clouds they snapped but ensure that the photos are taken in real-time. Some volunteers might even end up learning about clouds through the process. The next thing volunteers must do is follow a set of instructions on how to submit their photos. Lastly, it is important for volunteers to take those clouds photos in synchronicity with the CERES’ satellites. Only then will NASA share with the volunteers the data from CERES for comparison. For all those interested in the “job,” the deadline for submission is April 15, 2018, as the transition between seasons presents some interesting cloud activities.
But climate analysis is not the only data collection challenge NASA is encountering these days. Maintaining the integrity of the data received from space is also a challenge now, and the solution could be another satellite system. Called ATLAS LINKS, this hopeful solution will serve as a relay of information between spaceship in space and the control room at NASA on the ground.
ATLAS LINKS prototype. (Image via NASA)
Fruit of a collaboration between ATLAS Space Operations and NASA, the ATLAS LINKS Systems are mobile sets of four antenna stations managed through the internet and weighing less than ten pounds. In addition to being light weight, the systems are designed to be easy and fast to assemble or dissemble. Even though LINKS are still at the prototype phase, the hope is that the systems will help NASA cover more ground and collect information from anywhere accurately no matter the weather. The hopes rest on the necessary affinity between NASA communication networks on the ground and LINKS. When the affinity is confirmed, it will mean that in areas where NASA does not have any facility, the antenna systems will connect with spacecraft covering the areas and collect all their data; therefore, increasing the quantity and quality of information NASA can process from space since NASA is increasing its presence outside Earth. In addition, ATLAS LINKS Systems can serve as back up data storage at existing NASA facilities, especially with their ability to collect data from multiple spacecraft simultaneously.
The collaboration with ATLAS Space Operations also serves as part of the foundation for a new life for NASA. According the Bob Menrad, the associate director of the division of exploration and Space Communications at Goddard, NASA working with the private sector will enable the agency to grow and reach new heights along with widening the area of innovation in the U.S. Furthermore, ATLAS LINKS Systems will also benefit companies that launch small satellites as the technology will allow them to improve their communication networks as well, according to Harry Shaw and engineer at Goddard. For now, ATLAS LINKS still needs to be tested with NASA’s communication network (Near Earth).
Have a story tip? Message me at: cabe(at)element14(dot)com