NASA Satellite to Monitor Snowfall and Freshwater Supply

A NASA satellite is meant to monitor snowfall, mainly focusing on the snow falling in the western United States. Their primary purpose is to be able to estimate the supply of fresh water accurately.

NASA satellite is bound to estimate the supply of water coming from snowfalls and rain.

NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt is controlling a satellite GPM which is bound to trace snow and rain at a global level.

Dr. Dalia Kirschbaum, a researcher working at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, claimed that the satellite was specially created to track the amount of rain and falling snow through the atmosphere of our planet. The device uses the most advanced tools to be able to go on with its work. Thus, NASA explores the next generation of devices which are bound to be launched.

A team of researchers is flying over a snowpack in Colorado Rockies, being aboard of a plane to test the new tools contrary to what scientists on the ground are tracking. Dr. Kirshbaum argued that their purpose is to measure the layer of snow by taking a look at the snow depth, trying to determine the water which is usually stored in snow.

The scientists also pointed out that another goal is to understand better how this equipment could actually be used on a future satellite mission. Scientists do not only research for the sake of science. They are trying to determine the amount of water which is contained by the snow. The quantities are crucial to life on this planet, being difficult used for agriculture and drinking.

Not only the western part of the Unites States lacks in water, but there are decreased water levels throughout the whole world. Dr. Kirshbaum asserted that approximately a sixth of the world, meaning 20% of the entire population, depends on glaciers and snowpack to use the water when they melt. If scientists can understand the process through which those water resources are stored, this could help us develop methods to manage the resources of fresh water better.

People who live in areas around large mountainous regions depend on those water resources. The snow in the mountains melts in summer, the water going down, gradually flowing into the lowlands during warm seasons. That is when humans need a high amount of water.

Source: States Chronicle