Published , Modified Abstract on May the Forest Be with You: GEDI Moves Toward Launch to Space Station Original source
May the Forest Be with You: GEDI Moves Toward Launch to Space Station
The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) is a NASA mission that aims to study the Earth's forests and their role in the global carbon cycle. The GEDI instrument is a lidar system that will be mounted on the International Space Station (ISS) to collect data on forest structure and biomass. The GEDI mission has been in development for several years, and it is now moving closer to launch. In this article, we will discuss the GEDI mission, its objectives, and its potential impact on our understanding of the Earth's forests.
Introduction
Forests are one of the most important ecosystems on Earth, providing habitat for countless species, regulating the climate, and storing carbon. However, our understanding of forests is still limited, especially when it comes to their structure and biomass. The GEDI mission aims to change that by providing high-resolution data on forest structure from space.
What is GEDI?
GEDI stands for Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation. It is a NASA mission that will use a lidar system to measure forest structure and biomass from space. Lidar stands for Light Detection and Ranging, and it works by sending laser pulses down to the Earth's surface and measuring the time it takes for them to bounce back. This allows scientists to create detailed 3D maps of the forest canopy.
How Will GEDI Work?
The GEDI instrument will be mounted on the ISS, which orbits the Earth at an altitude of about 400 kilometers (250 miles). From this vantage point, GEDI will be able to collect data on forests all over the world. The instrument will send out laser pulses at a rate of 242,000 per second, covering a swath of about 25 meters (82 feet) on the ground. This will allow scientists to create detailed maps of forest structure and biomass.
What are the Objectives of GEDI?
The main objective of the GEDI mission is to improve our understanding of the Earth's forests and their role in the global carbon cycle. Forests are one of the largest carbon sinks on Earth, absorbing about 2.4 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide each year. However, our understanding of how much carbon is stored in forests and how it varies across different types of forests is still limited. GEDI will provide high-resolution data on forest structure and biomass, which will help scientists estimate how much carbon is stored in forests and how it changes over time.
What Will GEDI Tell Us?
GEDI will provide a wealth of information on forest structure and biomass. This information will be used to estimate the amount of carbon stored in forests, which is important for understanding the global carbon cycle. GEDI data will also be used to study how forests respond to disturbances such as fires, droughts, and logging. This information will be valuable for forest management and conservation efforts.
Conclusion
The GEDI mission represents a major step forward in our understanding of Earth's forests. By providing high-resolution data on forest structure and biomass from space, GEDI will help us estimate how much carbon is stored in forests and how it changes over time. This information will be valuable for climate modeling, forest management, and conservation efforts.
FAQs
1. When will GEDI launch?
- GEDI is scheduled to launch in 2021.
2. How long will GEDI operate?
- GEDI is expected to operate for at least two years.
3. How much does GEDI weigh?
- The GEDI instrument weighs about 2,300 kilograms (5,000 pounds).
4. What other instruments are on the ISS?
- The ISS hosts a variety of scientific instruments from NASA and other space agencies.
5. Will GEDI be able to see through clouds?
- No, GEDI will not be able to see through clouds. However, it will be able to collect data during periods of clear weather.
This abstract is presented as an informational news item only and has not been reviewed by a subject matter professional. This abstract should not be considered medical advice. This abstract might have been generated by an artificial intelligence program. See TOS for details.