Remote-sensing satellites have become indispensable tools for weather forecasting and resource monitoring and, given the right set of instruments, researchers believe future spacecraft could also dramatically improve the understanding of climate change and air pollution. That is the aim of Earth science researchers involved in three parallel missions underway at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center. From that site an unprecedented fleet of test aircraft is fanning out to explore the atmosphere from as low as 100 ft. to the edge of the stratosphere. The missions, two over California and one over the Pacific Ocean, are focused on testing new or improved sensors as well as gathering atmospheric data that will help guide the final selection of systems for future satellites.
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